PRIOR TO UTEP -- Chosen to represent Israel in a juniors tournament in the United States...had success at the Israel Junior Nationals, reaching the semifinals in 1993 and 1996 and advancing to the finals in 1994 and 1995...reached the second round of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Division Four tournament in 1996...reached as high as No. 2 in Israel as a junior in 1996...graduated from the Allison Academy in Miami, Fla., in 1998, where she was a member of the academic honor roll...signed a national letter of intent with Illinois State University in 1998 but saw limited action with the Redbirds, going just 1-2 in both singles and doubles...military service with the Israeli Army forced her withdrawal from Illinois State University.

PERSONAL -- Gilat was born July, 19, 1980 in Hedera, Isreal...parents are Yosy Barzilai and Ilana Gauriel...has two brothers (Haim and Itai)...major is psychology with a minor in physical therapy.