Hurricanes Primed for Inaugural Season in the ACC
Nov. 24, 2004
Coral Gables, Fla. – The University of Miami women’s tennis head coach Paige Yaroshuk-Tews released the team’s 2005 schedule, Wednesday. The Hurricanes are getting ready to face a tougher level of competition as they join the elite teams of the ACC and look to once again be dominant in their conference.
“Our outlook isn’t going to change because we moved into a tougher conference,” said Yaroshuk-Tews. “We are going to rise to the occasion. We’re excited that we are going to be given the opportunity to prove ourselves amongst the elite.”
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“Our outlook isn’t going to change because we moved into a tougher conference,” said Yaroshuk-Tews. “We are going to rise to the occasion. We’re excited that we are going to be given the opportunity to prove ourselves amongst the elite.” |
Last season, the Hurricanes established themselves as one of the top programs in the country, finishing the season ranked 15th. The Hurricanes enjoyed one of the most successful seasons in the history of the program after reaching the Elite Eight for the first time since the team was established in 1973. Miami finished with a 20-4 record, the first 20-plus win season for the team since 1999 (20-10) and the most under Yaroshuk-Tews. They also brought home the second BIG EAST title in three years. The BIG EAST title was the Hurricanes’ eighth and led to their ninth consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament.
The Hurricanes also enjoyed individual success with Megan Bradley becoming Miami’s first player to advance to the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament since the 1988 season. During her run in the Tournament, she improved her record to 37-6 to become the All-Time singles leader at UM. Bradley became Miami’s first All-American since 1995. She also earned BIG EAST Most Outstanding Player accolades for the second consecutive year and was named to the all-tournament team along side teammates Melissa Applebaum and Mari Toro, who graduated last season.
“What is important is that the team proves that last year was a statement and that they do not become complacent because that was the result of hard work,” Yaroshuk-Tews noted.
“I expect this team to bring in the same work ethic and take everyday to improve the technical and strategic aspects of their game.”
The Hurricanes will bring their work ethic and competitiveness into a conference that has a strong tennis tradition. In 2004, the ACC had six players from six different schools ranked among the Top 25 in the country. Clemson, Duke, North Carolina and Miami finished last season in the Top 20 of the final ITA Rankings.
Miami will open their 2005 season January 28th at the Neil Schiff Tennis Center against interstate rival Florida Atlantic, followed by a match against the University of Pennsylvania of the Ivy League the next day. The Hurricanes will then travel to Madison, Wis. for the ITA Team Indoor Championships which will be held February 3-6.
After three more non-conference matches against Florida International, Central Florida and Alabama, the Hurricanes will open their inaugural season in the ACC on the road against former BIG EAST rival Virginia Tech, February 27th, before returning to Coral Gables for an eight match home stand (Mar. 7-27). During their home stint, the Hurricanes will face non-conference opponents Boston College, Boston University and South Florida, as well as, ACC foes Florida State, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and NC State.
The Hurricanes will close out regular season play on the road, where they will face formidable ACC opponents Duke, Wake Forest, Clemson and Georgia Tech before taking part in their first-ever ACC Championships from April 21-24.
Miami will be looking for their 10th consecutive postseason appearance with the NCAA Regionals slated to begin May 13-15 followed by the NCAA Sweet Sixteen from May 19 through the 22nd. The NCAA individual tournament will begin May 23rd.
Stay tuned to www.hurricanesports.com for the latest Miami women’s tennis news, results and player information.
