Hurricanes Roll Past USF for 12th Straight Win
March 25, 2005
CORAL GABLES, <?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>Fla. – The 11th ranked University of Miami women’s tennis team claimed a 6-1 decision over visiting South Florida to win their 12th straight match Friday evening at the NeilSchiffTennisCenter.
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The Hurricanes, who extended their home-win streak to 25 matches heading into their final home match of the season on Sunday, improve to 14-2 this season while remaining 5-0 in Atlantic Coast Conference play. With the loss, USF fell to 4-4 on the season.
After USF defaulted at No. 3 doubles due to a forfeit, UM claimed the doubles point for the 11th time this season when the countries’ fourth ranked tandem of Megan Bradley and Audrey Banada downed No. 52 Gabriela Duch and Neyssa Etienne 8-3 at the No. 1 spot. Miami’s Melissa Applebaum/Staci Stevens duo were up 6-5 before USF’s Courtney Vernon/Luisa Obando pair defaulted to give Miami the win.
The Bulls also defaulted at the No. 6 singles slot which gave the Hurricanes a 2-0 lead before a singles match was even played. Banada was the first to finish, claiming a 6-1, 6-1 straight set victory over Obando at the No. 5 position for her 10th-straight singles win.
Bradley, who remained ranked No. 1 in the March 22nd singles rankings, clinched the win for the Hurricanes with a 6-3, 6-1 win over Etienne at the No. 1 slot. The Columbia, Mo. native has now won 29-straight matches dating back to the fall season.
Applebaum claimed her second win over a ranked opponent when she topped No. 75 Vernon 6-2, 7-6 (3) at No. 2 singles before Patricia Starzyk upended Duch 7-6 (8), 6-3 to improve her unbeaten record to 16-0.
In a brief ceremony between doubles and singles, the Hurricanes honored seniors Bradley and Stevens. Together, they have been an intricate part in helping reestablish Miami as one of the top programs in the country. During their time at Miami, Bradley and Stevens helped lead UM to the NCAA Elite Eight in 2004, to an appearance at the USTA/ITA National Team Indoor Championships and to a No. 9 team ranking for the first time since 1988.
The Hurricanes return to action at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday in their final home match of the season against ACC foe NC State. Admission to the NeilSchiffTennisCenter is FREE for both students and the general public.
