Team Trades Angela Haynes and CoCo Vandeweghe to Sacramento for Stubbs and Olga Puchkova.
WASHINGTON, -- The Washington Kastles have completed a blockbuster trade sending their second and third round picks, Angela Haynes and CoCo Vandeweghe, to the Sacramento Capitals for Rennae Stubbs, the reigning 2008 World TeamTennis Female MVP and 2008 Championship Finals MVP, and Olga Puchkova. With Stubbs' six Grand Slam championships, the team now boasts 36 total Grand Slam titles among their five players and head coach.
Stubbs, ranked in the top ten in the world in doubles, is a former #1 ranked doubles player and has won 59 career Sony Ericsson WTA titles. She has also represented Australia four times in Olympic and Federation Cup competition. She won last year's WTT and Championship Finals MVP titles as a member of the Kansas City Explorers and helped lead the Philadelphia Freedoms to WTT championships in 2001 and 2006, and the St. Louis Aces to a title in 1996.
"Our goal this year is to win the Championship when it is played in Washington on July 26th and this trade makes us a clear favorite to accomplish that. Rennae is one of the top doubles players in the world and is a fierce and experienced competitor," said owner Mark Ein, who brokered the deal. "With this trade, we will be tough to beat in any set, much less a complete match."
The Kastles also acquired Puchkova, who ranked #32 in the world in singles in 2007. Puchkova played three matches for the Capitals in 2008, compiling a 10-5 game record. She has local ties, having trained at the Junior Tennis Champions Center in College Park, Maryland, where she has recently begun working again. She is also a professional model represented by Elite Management.
"Olga has the ability to be one of the best women in the league and, with her recent work at the JTCC, we know she is ready to play," continued Ein. "Both Olga and Rennae bring a lot of personality to our squad on and off the court. Our fans will love this team."
The two newest Kastles will join their teammates on Thursday, July 2 to kick off the 2009 season on the west coast against the Newport Beach Breakers. The Kastles open the home schedule in DC on July 7 against two-time defending Wimbledon Champion Venus Williams and the Philadelphia Freedoms.
About the Washington Kastles
The Washington Kastles begin their second season of Advanta World TeamTennis (WTT) in July 2009. The Kastles, owned by local entrepreneur Mark Ein, will be led by ten-time Grand Slam singles champion Serena Williams. The 34th season of World TeamTennis, co-founded in 1974 by tennis legend Billie Jean King, runs from July 2-26 and concludes with the Advanta WTT Finals in Washington, D.C. Throughout the season, the Kastles will actively work with local charities and community organizations to share the mission of WTT and bring the game of tennis to the broader community. For more information about the Kastles or to purchase tickets, visit www.washingtonkastles.com or call 202-4TENNIS (483-6647). Become a Kastles fan on Facebook and follow us at twitter.com/WashKastles.
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