"Blakeley had an outstanding season last year and will hopefully have the same kind of year this year. She has worked diligently on trying to improve her deficiencies and add to her strengths. She has been very spirited and is a great competitor."
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
JUNIOR (Fall 2005): Combined with junior Bryce Marable to go 4-2 in doubles, including claiming the second-flight title at the Furman Fall Classic...Defeated Furman's Laura Giola and Jacqueline Eckert, 8-4, to clinch the championship...The duo finished sixth in first-flight doubles at the St. Mary's Classic, losing its first match against North Carolina State's Barbara Orlay and Alejandra Guerra in a tiebreaker, 9-8...After defeating Kentucky's Kim Coventry and Joelle Schwenk, 8-7, fell to Ashlee Davis and Alexandra Hirsch of Wake Forest, 8-1...The two losses would prove to be the duo's only defeats of the fall season...Earned a second-place finish at the St. Mary's Classic in first-flight singles, winning her first two matches before falling in the finals to Wake Forest's Alexandra Hirsch, 6-4, 6-0...Competed in the Riviera All-American Tournament, falling to two ranked opponents.
SOPHOMORE (2004-05): Earned Second Team All-Southeastern Conference honors after recording a mark of 20-14 on the year in singles play, including a 13-10 record in dual matches...Played primarily in the No. 2 position...Her efforts allowed Griffith to conclude the campaign ranked 86th by the ITA...Picked up four victories against ranked opposition, including toppling No. 33 Kim Coventry of Kentucky in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3...Was a force to be reckoned with in doubles play, as she registered an overall mark of 21-7...When joined with Bryce Marable, the tandem went 9-3 in dual matches, including a perfect 8-0 at the third position...Paired with Ashley Robards, the duo brought home the flight two doubles title at the Freeman Memorial Championship...At the St. Mary's Classic, the doubles pair of Griffith and Victoria Jones claimed the championship in the third flight of play...At the same event, Griffith advanced to the finals of flight three in singles play before falling to Katie Martzolf of Wake Forest, 6-4, 6-1...Took care of business in the classroom as well, as she was honored by the league as Co-Scholar Athlete of the Year...Selected to the CoSIDA Academic All-District IV Second Team...Griffith maintains a flawless 4.0 GPA while majoring in English at UT...Member of SEC Good Works Team.
FRESHMAN (2003-04): Went a team-best 31-13 in singles play...Owned a 3-2 mark against ranked opponents, including a win over then-No. 65 Sara Anundsen of North Carolina on Feb. 15...Recorded the match-clinching point for UT twice...Registered a dramatic three-set win over Wisconsin's Lindsay Martin, 6-1, 5-7, 7-6 (10-2), to clinch victory for the Lady Vols in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, a 4-3 win...Put together a six-match win streak from Feb. 6-27...In addition to her success in singles, Griffith was no slouch in doubles play, amassing a record of 18-10...Paired primarily with sophomore Sabita Maharaj to earn a record of 9-4...Opened her Lady Vol career in impressive fashion, compiling an 8-2 record during the fall season...Claimed the flight No. 4 singles title in her first collegiate tournament, the St. Mary's Fall Classic, by downing North Carolina's Lee Bairos in the title match...Posted a pair of wins at the adidas Invitational...Notched three victories at the SEC Coaches Fall Classic to reach the flight "B" championship match...Along with Maharaj, advanced to the title match of flight No. 3 doubles at St. Mary's...Picked up three more wins with Maharaj at the adidas Invitational...Closed out the fall with a pair of triumphs at the SEC Coaches Classic, while paired with Breanna Kray...Earned appointment to the SEC Freshmen Academic Honor Roll and the Lady Vol Honor Roll.
HIGH SCHOOL:
Claimed Virginia state singles championships as a sophomore, junior and senior...Compiled a 22-0 singles record during senior season en route to leading her team to the state championship with an unblemished 18-0 mark.
PERSONAL:
Griffith is pursuing a major in English at UT...Would like to play pro tennis after graduation...Enjoys being with friends and cooking in her spare time...States her biggest sports thrill as winning the team state prep championship her senior year...Has one brother, Phillip, 25; and one sister, Mary Clare, 12...Blakeley Electra Griffith, the daughter of Fredrick and Barbara Griffith, was born on Nov. 14, 1984, in Leesburg, Va.
