Feb. 25, 2005
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. –
The 10th ranked University of Miami women’s tennis team claimed the doubles point and won four-of-six singles matches to take a 5-2 win over 34th ranked Alabama Friday evening at the Alabama Tennis Complex in Tuscaloosa. With the win the Hurricanes improve to 6-2 on the season.
Miami’s fourth ranked doubles tandem of senior Megan Bradley and sophomore Audrey Banada downed Alabama’s 17th ranked duo of Robin Stephenson and Ashley Bentley from the No. 1 position as junior Melissa Applebaum and Freshman Caren Seenauth joined to defeat Mari Muller and Andrea Brenes 8-4 to clinch the doubles point and give the Hurricanes a 1-0 match lead.
Banada and freshman Patricia Starzyk helped Miami jump to a 3-0 lead after winning their matches from the No. 5 and No. 4 singles slots, respectively. Banada topped Muller in straight sets 6-2, 6-1 while Starzyk extended her unbeaten streak to eight matches by defeating Brenes 6-2, 6-2.
Bradley, the nation’s second ranked player, clinched the match win for the Hurricanes after upending sixth ranked Stephenson 6-3, 6-2 in No. 1 singles.
Senior Staci Stevens picked up a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Melissa Minor from the No. 3 slot.
The Hurricanes travel north to Blacksburg, Virginia Sunday, Feb. 27th for their inaugural Atlantic Coast Conference season opener against fellow ACC newcomer and former BIG EAST rival Virginia Tech with match time set for 10:00 a.m.