UTPAS top player ast year as a freshman in 2001, finishing the season with a 25-8 record and occupied the #1 singles position for the entire season .. Finished 13-11 in doubles, playing the #1 position .... Won her first collegiate match against Yvonne Bresler of McNeese State, 1-6, 6-3, 6-1 ... Won her last eight matches..... Thrice won five matches in succession .... Ranked #23 in Switzerland at CESSEV HIGH SCHOOL ....
Runner-up in both the Swiss National Championships in 1999 and the Swiss Junior National Championships in 1998 .... Played #1 at Cessev HS .... Defeated Daniela Casanova (ranked eighth in Switzerland, 120th in juniors by the International Tennis federation) and her sister Myriam, (ranked 13th in Switzerland and 365th in juniors by the lif) ... Born December 26, 1980 in Sion, Switzerland.... Daughter of Sandro and Manuela Merlini... Majoring in Marketing.
Coach Chapman on Celine Merlini:
"Celine has a tremendous amount of talent," said Chapman.
"She has powerful ground strokes, solid volleys, and is a very smart player. She had a tremendous year last year, and I look for her to do the same this year."
