Muzamel and Chapman close out careers on top

From special reports

Four years ago, they arrived on the Ole Miss campus from two different worlds -- one from down the road in Jackson and the other from halfway across the world in Budapest, Hungary.

However, they have one thing in common. They both have helped lead Ole Miss to national prominence in women's tennis. Before they arrived, Ole Miss was a solid team, maintaining its position among the Top 25 teams.

With their playing a huge part, things have certainly changed around the women's tennis program at Ole Miss.

Seniors Agnes Muzamel and Courtenay Chapman have helped the Lady Rebels achieve a top 10 national ranking and are looking forward to guiding them to the next level before they leave.

Since her arrival, Muzamel has risen to become one of the top Collegiate players in the nation. She vaulted from the top 20 to No. 2 in the nation at the end of her sophomore year and has been a mainstay in the top 10 since then. Muzamel is one of only two Lady Rebels to ever be ranked No. 1 in the nation, earning that distinction at the beginning of the 1997-98 season. A three-time All-America, Muzamel needs only six more wins to become the all-time career singles leader at Ole Miss.

"The past four years have been the best four years of my life," Muzamel said. "I have made lots of friends. Being on this team has helped me a lot, and it made it easier for me to come so far from home. It makes me feel good that people are proud of us and that they appreciate what we are doing."

Muzamel is a three-time All-SEC selection, the 1996 SEC Singles Champion and the 1997 Rolex South Regional Singles and Doubles Champion. She has advanced to the finals of two grand slam events during her career and was the only player to be ranked top five in singles and doubles in the final 1997 ranking.

"It's always easier to move up than it is to stay there. We needed our teammates to stay in the top 10, but it makes me feel proud that I added so much to the program, along with Courtenay, to make it one of the best in the United States."

Muzamel recalls many fond memories traveling the country in her four years playing in grand slam tournaments and dual matches. She has been to the West Coast and the East Coast and all over the South.

"I can still remember my first day here. Even some of our dual matches were a lot of fun. Some of them were so crucial and so intense that you just can't forget them. It's a lifelong experience not only for the game of tennis, but mentally and emotionally."

Chapman has played a major part in the Lady Rebels' success in singles and doubles. She is one of the top doubles players in the nation having been ranked among the top 10 in doubles the last three years. Also a three-time All-American, Chapman needs only two more doubles victories to become the first player to reach 100 wins in both categories.

"When Agnes and I got here, the team was in the Top 25 and by the end of our freshman year, we were ranked No. 7 in the country," Chapman said.

In addition, Chapman is an All-SEC performer, the 1996 ITA South Region Rookie-of-the-Year and the 1997 South Regional Doubles Champion. She has been nationally-ranked in singles and doubles all four years of her career.

While her achievements are many, Chapman said she will always cherish the friendships she has made during her four years.

"I remember my freshman year and playing my first home match. I was so excited, and now I am about to play my last home match. It's been a great experience. I can't imagine not ever doing this."

"Working with coach Montgomery and Kevin has been wonderful and having Agnes as a doubles partner has been a lot of fun. I also want to say how much I appreciate the fans who have come out to all our home matches during the last four years."

Muzamel and Chapman have combined for 224 singles and 191 doubles victories. Muzamel and Chapman have led the Lady Rebels to three consecutive NCAA Team Championship appearances and will likely be taking them to a fourth this year. They guided the Lady Rebels to the 1996 NCAA Midwest Regional title and the 1997 NCAA Central Regional title.

Muzamel and Chapman have also guided the Lady Rebels off the court to unprecedented success. The two helped Ole Miss achieve the prestigious ITA All-Academic Team Award in 1997 and 1998. Last year, the team posted the higest grade point average in the nation and was one of only three schools to finish the year ranked in the top 10 and earn this distinction. Both Muzamel and Chapman have been named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll, and Chapman has been a member of the Chancellor's Honor Roll the last two years with a perfect 4.0 grade point average. Chapman is a candidate for an NCAA postgraduate scholarship.

"In addition to the fact that Agnes and Courtenay have contributed so much to our program in terms of our moving up the ladder of success, I appreciate what they have meant to me both as players and as people in that they've made me a better coach because they have worked hard," Montgomery said.

"We've spent thousands of hours practicing on the courts, traveling to tournaments and playing in competition, and the result of that is that I have a very good friendship with each of them. What they have meant to this program is immeasurable, and I owe them a great debt of gratitude."

In four years, the two have brought the women's tennis program to new heights and both are hoping to take it one more notch before walking away from what has been a great ride.