Miami Set To Host BIG EAST Tennis Championships
April 19, 2001
CORAL GABLES, Fla.–CORAL GABLES, Fla.–The Miami men’s and women’s teams will look to defend their titles at the 2001 BIG EAST Tennis Championships, April 20-22. The championships are hosted by the University of Miami and matches will be played at the Neil Schiff Tennis Center in Coral Gables, Fla.
Men’s Preview:
On the men’s side, No. 1 seed Notre Dame (15-5) and No. 2 Miami (17-3) are the favorites to duke it out for the title with the teams ranked 12th and 14th in the ITA Collegiate Tennis Rankings, respectively.
The Irish are led by junior Javier Taborga who has compiled a 10-5 spring record en route to a top 100 ranking in singles play. Taborga and his doubles partner, Aaron Talarico, are No. 21 in the ITA rankings.
Senior Michael Lang will head UM’s title defense. The veteran is No. 70 nationally and holds a 24-7 record heading into the BIG EAST Championship and will play first singles and team up with junior Jose Lieberman in second doubles action.
Newcomer Virginia Tech (12-9) earned the third seed and is currently No. 69 in the collegiate rankings. Each of the Hokies’ six singles players have at least 13 wins. Freshman Andres Laulund leads the team with 25 victories out of the fifth spot.
No. 4 seed Rutgers (10-6) earned its spot in the conference tournament with an undefeated record (6-0) versus BIG EAST opponents. The duo of junior Akshay Jagdale and freshman Greg Schweitzer will look to score points for the Scarlet Knights in first flight doubles.
Despite starting the season 1-4, No. 5 St. John’s (9-6) found its way into the BIG EAST Championship by winning eight of its last nine matches, including three straight. Senior Eric Scharf is the Red Storm’s leading point scorer with an undefeated record in dual meet first singles (14-0) and a 6-4 mark in first doubles with partner Jake Maxwell.
First-year head coach Rob Miller leads a young Boston College (13-10) squad into the tournament. The No. 6 seed Eagles will look to four rookies, Justin Slattery, Brad Anderson, Paul Colahan and Ross Pytko, to score points.
2001 BIG EAST Men’s Tennis Championships The Neil Schiff Tennis Complex, Coral Gables, Fla. April 20-22, 2001
Championship Schedule
Friday, April 20 – 9 a.m. Match 1 No. 4 Rutgers vs. No. 5 St. John’s
Noon-Match 2 No. 3 Virginia Tech vs. No. 6 Boston College
Saturday, April 21 – 9 a.m. Match 3 No. 1 Notre Dame vs. Winner Match 1
Noon-Match 4 No. 2 Miami vs. Winner Match 2
3 p.m.-Match 6 Loser Match 1 vs. Loser Match 2
Sunday, April 22 – 9 a.m. Championship Match Winner Match 3 vs. Winner Match 4
Match 7 Loser Match 3 vs. Loser Match 4
