Miami Faces Virginia Tech and Virginia in Final Road Swing of the Regular Season
April 7, 2006
CORAL GABLES, <?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>Fla.– The sixth-ranked University of Miami women’s tennis team will travel to the state of Virginia for its final regular season road trip this weekend. The Hurricanes will take on No. 62 Virginia Tech Saturday, April 8 at noon before squaring off against No. 29 Virginia at the same time Sunday. <?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
The Hurricanes are ranked sixth in the latest Fila Collegiate Tennis Rankings with a 15-4 overall record and a 7-1 mark in ACC play. Miami remained ranked in the Top 10 for the fourth consecutive week.
Last weekend, Miami posted a 1-1 record after suffering an upset loss to No. 13 Georgia Tech and defeating No. 24 Clemson at home.
Miami’s lineup boasts four ranked singles players, headlined by sophomore Audra Cohen who is No. 2 in the nation. Cohen is undefeated in 22 matches this season and is 13-0 against nationally ranked opponents. Also ranked are senior Melissa Applebaum (No. 63), freshman Monika Dancevic (No. 112) and junior Audrey Banada (No. 123).
Cohen pairs up with Applebaum to comprise the nation’s fifth ranked doubles pair. The duo is 13-0 overall and 7-0 against ranked opponents.
Doubles remains a strong point for the Hurricanes who have won the doubles point in all but two matches this season. Miami has claimed the doubles point in 15 consecutive matches.
Though not ranked, Miami’s tandem of Dancevic and Banada are 10-2 at No. 2 doubles while Caren Seenauth and Patricia Starzyk have only suffered one loss in 15 tries at the No. 3 position.
Virginia Tech is 11-9 overall and winless in seven tries in ACC play this season. No. 58 Inga Beerman leads the Hokies with a 26-7 overall record. Virginia Tech has two ranked doubles teams in Bethan James/Jessica Brouwer ranked 37th and Anat Elazari/Jennifer Larson ranked 47th.
The Hurricanes are 7-0 all-time against the Hokies and picked up a 7-0 sweep in their only meeting last season.
Virginia will host FloridaState Saturday before welcoming Miami Sunday. The Cavaliers are 9-7 overall and 3-4 in ACC play after picking up an upset victory over No. 17 Wake Forest last week.
No. 105 Kristen James leads Virginia with a 10-6 dual match record. James pairs up with Lori Stern as the No. 11 tandem in the nation. The pair is 12-3 in dual-matches. Also ranked are Douglas Wink and Rachel DePriore who join as the nation’s No. 49 ranked tandem.
Miami holds a 6-2 lead in the all-time series. In their last meeting in 2005, Miami topped Virginia, 7-0.
Stay tuned to www.hurricanesports.com for up-to-date Miami women’s tennis news, results and recaps.
