The top-ranked Lady Bulldog tennis team has several talented, battle-hardened veterans, but lone senior Mariel Verban may be the toughest.

“She’s done great playing through an injury this year and has shown tremendous class and poise,” said assistant coach Debbie Beck. “She’s gutted it out and shown what true Bulldog fight is.”

That attitude hasn’t been overlooked by her teammates either.

“It’s her heart that separates Verban from her competitor,” Beck said

“That’s what really symbolizes our team. That’s what makes our team get through the tough matches we’ve gotten through this year,” she said.

Verban took over when she arrived at Wake Forest, earning All-ACC honors as a freshman and becoming the first Demon Deacon to win ACC rookie of the year.

The Bloomington, Ill., native began her freshman campaign at No. 3 singles, but was in the No. 1 spot by the end of the year. She was an All-American as a sophomore, ending the year ranked 11th nationally.

Entering the 2000 spring campaign, expectations were soaring as Verban was fourth in the preseason rankings. But a foot injury forced her to the sidelines for a redshirt year, after which she transferred to Georgia.

“There were some coaching changes in the program (at Wake Forest),” Verban said. “I felt it was in my best interest to leave because I wasn’t happy there.”

So she came to Georgia, thanks to the reputations of coaches Jeff Wallace and Beck.

“I’m very happy here,” Verban continued. “I feel I made the best decision.”

She has played at No. 1 or No. 2 singles every match she’s played in the last two years, being named an All-American for the second time last season.

“She’s made a huge difference,” Wallace said. “She’s won several incredible matches since she’s been here. Last year, she’s MVP at the SEC tournament, which we won, and helps our team get to our eighth Final Four. This year, we won the team indoors, clinched the regular season SEC crown, and we’ve been ranked No. 1 pretty much the whole year. What more can you say?”