For the past few weeks, the empty college town of Athens, Ga., was infiltrated by women’s tennis players from all over the country seeking to become the NCAA champion.

It turns out the winner didn’t have to travel too far.

Georgia’s Chelsey Gullickson took home medalist honors at the 2010 championships, pulling through a tightly contested second-set tiebreaker to beat No. 2 Jana Juricova of California 6-3, 7-6, (7) on May 31.

Gullickson, a sophomore advertising major, was ranked No. 12.

“I still can’t believe it, when she hit that swinging volley in the net, I thought, ‘Oh, my gosh, this is really happening,’” Gullickson said. “I have had a lot of ups and downs this season, but this is very exciting. The crowd was awesome. They got me super excited. I thought my serves and return game were sharp, and I tried to play smart and stay positive throughout the match.”

Gullickson’s road to the national championship featured wins over the nation’s top players, including top-ranked Irina Falconi of Georgia Tech, fourth-ranked Hilary Barte and eighth-ranked Allie Will  from Florida.

Gullickson is the third Bulldog in school history to win an NCAA singles title, joining Lisa Spain, who won in 1984 in Los Angeles, and Angela Lettiere, who won in 1994 in Athens.

Gullickson concludes the year with a 30-8 record.

Although tennis is Gullickson’s main focus, she enjoys many things any average University student would.

“I love Transmetropolitan, Little Italy and East West,” Gullickson said. “I also love watching UGA baseball because of my brother.”

Her brother played baseball at Clemson and her father, Bill Gullickson, was also an accomplished player on the diamond. A former Major League pitcher, Bill Gullickson compiled an 162-136 record in 14 seasons with the Expos, Reds, Yankees, Astros and Tigers in the 1980s and early 1990s.

Chelsey’s mother, Sandy Gullickson, played college tennis at Western Kentucky.

Sophomore Chelsey Gullickson ended Georgia’s 16-year NCAA singles title drought, winning at home in two sets over No. 2-ranked Jana Juricova of California. PHOTO BY BILL KALLENBERGH, GEORGIA SPORTS INFORMATION.

Following her win, Chelsey Gullickson took a short break from tennis to spend time at the lake.

Throughout the summer she will continue to play tennis and take classes and, in July, compete in tournaments in hopes of qualifying for a wild card slot at the U.S. Open in August in New York.

“I want to make a career in tennis,” she said. “I want to be able to do what my older sister, Carly, has done and follow in her footsteps.”

Carly Gullickson, won the 2009 U.S. Open mixed doubles title and is on tour with the Women’s Tennis Association.

Chelsey Gullickson grew up in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., with her five siblings.

She trained at the Harold Solomon Tennis Institute throughout high school and competed in numerous tournaments around the world.

In 2005, Gullickson won four International Tennis Federation junior titles and at her highest point was listed 76th in the ITF junior rankings. Gullickson’s biggest accomplishments before college were reaching the quarterfinals of the Australian Open juniors and the round of 16 at the Junior Wimbledon 2007. In 2008 she came to the University.

After her freshman year, Gullickson was named the national rookie player of the year with a final ranking at No. 6, as well as Southeastern Conference freshman of the year.

Following her dynamic NCAA win, Gullickson said Georgia head coach Jeff Wallace and assistant coach Frank Polito contributed significantly to her success.

“It’s been a tough year, but through all the wins and losses, my coaches have been fully supportive both on and off the court,” she said.