Pamela Castillejos (pronounced Cas-til-A-hose) enters the season as one of Nebraska's four senior leaders. She will push to see time toward the top of the Husker lineup after recording the highest winning percentage in school history last year.
In doubles, the senior from Mexico will provide excellent depth at the Nos. 2 or 3 slots with fellow senior Milena Schulz-Gartner. The pair teamed last season to win eight matches.
At the ITA Regionals, Castillejos and Zugner defeated Kara Hickey and Beth Chermel of Iowa State enroute to adcancing to the Third Round of the Doubles Main Draw
Head Coach Scott Jacobson said that Castillejos has continued to develop her all-court game. She is one of the quickest players Jacobson has coached over his 14 years on the sideline. She has a wide range of shots, including both a backhand and forehand topspin shot as well as a strong backhand. She is a tremendous competitor and is incredibly consistent, Jacobson said.
Before the season started, NU Coach Scott Jacobson said that Castillejos had improved every phase of her game during the off-season. Things seemed to come together for the junior as she began the season ranked No. 8 in the ITA Central Regional rankings.
The two-time letterwinner played mostly at the No. 5 slot in a talented Husker lineup. She shot out of the gates quickly winning seven straight matches. Due to an injury at the No. 1 position, Castillejos was forced to play up at the No. 4 slot against perennial power Texas, where she suffered one of two losses of the spring season.
She quickly got back on track as she turned in a 12-match winning streak and did not lose again until the Big 12 Championships. When the season ended, Castillejos had posted a 22-3 singles record, including a 10-1 conference record, and the highest winning percentage (.880) in school history.
In doubles play, Castillejos played mostly at the No. 3 slot with Milena Schulz-Gartner and Ellinor Zugner, where Castillejos recorded a 15-7 doubles record.
Castillejos posted a 10-7 record in the spring, including a 2-5 record in conference play. She played primarily at the No. 5 slot, earning a 6-6 record. She was a valuable asset at the No. 4 position where she picked up a 3-0 record.
Her two conference victories came at two of the most critical times of the season. On Senior Day, Castillejos helped send the four seniors out victoriously by winning a three-set thriller. Then in the Big 12 Championships, she defeated Jennifer Poskitt of Oklahoma State in straight sets, 6-2, 7-6 to send the Huskers to the quarterfinals. The victory marked the first team tournament win for NU since the 2001 season.
Castillejos began the year by setting a season-best winning streak with six straight matches. In the first 10 victories, she had amassed eight victories.
On the doubles court, Castillejos teamed with Jennifer Cremieux in her only doubles action of the season. Both ended in victories for the Huskers.
In the classroom, Castillejos was one of two Huskers to earn second-team academic All-Big 12 honors for the first time in her career.
Castillejos finished the season with an 8-5 singles mark during the spring, including a 4-5 record in conference play. Castillejos was especially effective at No. 5 singles, where she produced a 5-2 record. She had a season-high three-match win streak from March 3 to March 30.
In the fall, Castillejos and Cremieux won the consolation doubles final at the Shocker Invitational. Castillejos finished 3-3 in singles and doubles action.
Castillejos played tennis at La Calera in Puebla, Mexico. She was ranked as high as second in the country and helped lead her team to the sectional, regional and state championships. She was coached by Ignacio Oropeza. Castillejos chose Nebraska over Hawaii, Fresno State, Kansas State and Cincinnati.
Born May 9, 1983, in Puebla, Mexico, Pamela is the daughter of Jorge and Ana Maria Castillejos. Pamela has one older sister Paulina, 24. Pamela is an industrial engineering major.
