March 18, 2004

CORAL GABLES, Fla.-The No. 16-ranked Miami women’s tennis team beat No. 31 Pepperdine 5-2 in Malibu, Calif. Thursday afternoon.

The Hurricanes improve to 10-2 on the season, while Pepperdine falls to 8-5 overall.

Miami lost the doubles point, only winning at No. 3 doubles. Audrey Banada (North Miami Beach, Fla.) and Mari Toro (Miami, Fla.) beat Eva Dickes and Karin Schlapbach 8-6, improving to 11-1 on the season.

Miami won five singles matches in straight sets to claim the win over the Waves.

No. 9 Megan Bradley (Columbia, Mo.) beat No. 59 Natalie Braverman 6-3, 6-3 at No. 1 singles.

Toro knocked off No. 96 Charlotte Vernaz 6-3, 6-2 at No. 3 singles, while Staci Stevens (Hammond, La.) beat Merve Asimeil 6-3, 6-2 at No. 4 singles.

Banada improved to 12-0 overall with a win over Schlapbach 6-4, 6-2 at No. 5 singles.

Sihem Bennacer (Algiers, Algeria) rounded out singles play with a 7-5, 6-3 win over Lise Sissler at the No. 6 spot.

The Hurricanes return to Coral Gables hosting Dartmouth Wednesday at 6 p.m.

No. 16 Miami 5, No. 31 Pepperdine 2
Singles
1. No. 9 Megan Bradley (UM) def. No. 59 Natalie Braverman (PEP) 6-3, 6-3
2. Caroline Raba (PEP) def. Melissa Applebaum (UM) 6-7, 6-4, 10-5
3. Mari Toro (UM) def. No. 96 Charlotte Vernaz (PEP) 6-3, 6-2
4. Staci Stevens (UM) def. Merve Asimeil (PEP) 6-3, 6-2
5. Audrey Banada (UM) def. Karin Schlapbach (PEP) 6-4, 6-2
6. Sihem Bennacer (UM) def. Lise Sissler (PEP) 7-5, 6-3
Doubles
1. Raba/Vernaz (PEP) def. No. 44 Applebaum/Bradley (UM) 8-3
2. Braverman/Asimeil (PEP) def. Bennacer/Sara Robbins (UM) 8-5
3. Banada/Toro (UM) def. Eva Dickes/Schlapbach (PEP) 8-6