Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Macon, Ga. -- Following the first week of conference play, North Florida's Catalina Castillo has been tabbed the Atlantic Sun Conference's Athlete of the Week for her undefeated effort against cross-town rival Jacksonville, league officials announced today.

Castillo, a International Business major from Bogota, Colombia, posted 1-0 records in both singles and doubles against the Dolphins. Castillo joined teammate Natalia Sanchez at the No. 1 doubles spot to capture an 8-5 victory before entering a hard-fought battle in No. 3 singles. Against Tatiana Soldatova, Castillo fell behind early after being defeated 6-2 in the first game. Trailing one game to none, Castillo began a two-game rally (7-6, 6-4) to pick up the individual win and clinched the match for the Lady Ospreys.

With her singles win, North Florida improved to 1-0 in the A-Sun and 5-0 overall.

The award is the first for Castillo in her career at UNF and the fourth for the Osprey since its inception in 2003. Castillo follows teammates Florencia Torres (Jan. 30, 2007), Vanessa Sanchez (March 30, 2006) and Lauren Cockbill (April 11, 2006).

The Atlantic Sun Player of the Week is announced every Tuesday during the 2007 tennis season.

The 12-member league headquartered in Macon, Ga., consists of Belmont, Campbell, ETSU, Gardner-Webb, Jacksonville, Kennesaw State, Lipscomb, Mercer, UNF and Stetson with Florida Gulf Coast and USC Upstate beginning competition in 2007-08.

Other Top Performers:

• Catherine Canady, Stetson
[Jr. -- Jacksonville, Fla. -- Business]
Canady won her singles and doubles matches against future A-Sun members, Florida Gulf Coast, who are currently ranked No. 15 in Division II. In her singles match, Canady won 6-3, 6-2 and joined teammate Anna Leonenko for an 8-4 doubles win.

• Emily Ellis, Lipscomb
[Sr. -- Georgetown, Ky. -- Health & Physical Education]
Although her team fell to 0-2 on the season, Ellis posted a 2-0 singles and 0-1 doubles record in two matches against UT-Chattanooga and UT-Martin. Playing at the No. 3 spot, Ellis defeated UT-Chattanooga's Beatie Knizatt 6-2, 2-6, 10-8 and UT-Martin's Belisa DeBrito 7-6, 4-6, 6-2.