General Info: Transferred to Tech at the beginning of her junior year after two years at Florida Gulf Coast University • Talented player that is confident and spirited, and is expected to be one of the team leaders this season.

2002-03: Played primarily in the No. 6 spot in the lineup during the spring • A solid doubles performer, Nieto teamed with sophomore Catherine Gunn to form one of the Yellow Jackets’ top doubles tandems • The duo was ranked throughout the spring, climbing as high as No. 39 on March 19 • As a team, they held a 15-7 overall record on the year and an 8-3 mark in dual matches • Won two of her first three singles matches for Tech in the spring, claiming straight-set victories over Georgia State’s Karine Etienne (6-1, 6-0) and Auburn’s Jenny Paul (6-3, 6-3), both at No. 6.

2001-2002 (At Florida Gulf Coast University): Finished the year with a 9-13 singles record, playing at the No. 1 position in the lineup for the Eagles • Was ranked 12th in the nation in singles play and 14th in doubles with partner Eveline Folkerts in the ITA NAIA poll at the end of the 2002 season • Recorded four wins over ranked opponents during the year • Top victory of the year came over 15th-ranked Natalia Kozyura of Embry-Riddle, by a score of 6-1, 6-3 • Also defeated 19th-ranked Manave Akkar of Palm Beach Atlantic in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2 • Disposed of 25th-ranked Jana Topinkova of Northwood in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4 on January 19 • Recorded a pair of wins over ranked opponents in doubles competition, teaming with Folkerts to down 18th-ranked Mel Roy and Annie Deschamps of Northwood by an 8-4 score • Partnered with Carolina Pongratz to defeat 12th-ranked Alicia Graham and Victoria Bucalic of Flagler, 8-5.

2000-01 (At Florida Gulf Coast University): Played in only four singles and doubles matches as a freshman in 2001 • Lone singles win of the year came Roxanne Masza of South Carolina-Aiken in straight sets, 6-3, 6-0.

High School/Junior Tennis: Competed in basketball and track while at the British Council School • Lettered four years in basketball, serving as team captain for two seasons • Was the basketball team MVP in 1996 • Ranked as high as 138th in Spain as a singles tennis player.

Personal: Full name is Maria Nieto • Born August 12, 1982 •Daughter of Luis Nieto and Rosa De La Cal • Has a 23-year-old brother Ignatio • Father was a soccer player in the third division • Lists golf and basketball as her interests • Member of the 2003 ACC Honor Roll as a Dean’s List student majoring in management.