Hurricanes Fall to Bears in Consolation Round
Feb. 4, 2006
<?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>MADISON, Wis. – The ninth ranked University of Miami women’s tennis team fell to No. 18 California, 4-3, in the consolation round of the USTA/ITA National Team Indoor Championship Saturday evening at the University of Wisconsin’s A.C. Nielsen Tennis Stadium. <?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
With the loss, the Hurricanes fall to 2-2 overall after going 1-2 in the tournament. The Bears improve to 4-1 overall after going 2-1 this weekend.
Cal opened the match by sweeping doubles to take a 1-0 match lead.
Senior Melissa Applebaum put Miami on the board with an upset victory over No. 14 Susie Babos in straight sets, 7-5, 6-1 at the No. 2 position.
The Hurricanes then took a 2-1 match lead after sophomore Audra Cohen also claimed an upset victory over No. 19 Suzi Fodor, 6-2, 6-2, at the No. 1 spot.
After suffering losses at the No. 4 and No. 6 positions, freshman Monika Dancevic upended No. 83 Claire Ilcinkas, 6-2, 7-6(6) to tie the score at 3-all.
The match came down to the No. 3 position where sophomore Patricia Starzyk and No. 34 Marion Ravelojaona fought in a three-set battle. Starzyk won the first set 6-4 but could not hold off Ravelojaona who won the second and third set, 6-2, 6-4, to give Cal the match victory.
Notes: Both Cohen and Dancevic finished the weekend with a 3-0 singles record…Miami is 8-10 in six appearances at the USTA/ITA National Team Indoor Championship.
The Hurricanes return to action Friday, Feb. 10 when they travel cross-town to face rival Florida International at 12:00 p.m.
