Three Players Ranked in ITA Preseason Rankings
Sept. 12, 2006
CORAL GABLES, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com)- University of Miami juniors Audra Cohen and Audrey Banada, and junior transfer Romy Farah were amongst the 125 players announced to The Intercollegiate Tennis Association 2006 Preseason Division I rankings over the weekend.
Cohen was ranked No.1 in the nation for 2006. At the end of last season she placed No.1 in singles and No. 2 in doubles alongside Melissa Applebaum. Cohen became Miami’s second consecutive NCAA Singles Championship overall No.1 seed and finished the season with a 34-2 overall record and a 22-2 mark against ranked opponents. Cohen was named to the All-ACC team and ACC Player of the Year.
Banada was ranked No. 71 in the nation by the ITA. Last season she was named to the All-ACC team for the second time in her career. She went 29-9 overall and 18-5 in dual play in singles. Banada went 10-4 at the No. 4 position and was ranked No. 98 to finish the season.
Farah will begin her collegiate debut with the Hurricanes ranked No.120 in the nation, after finishing her freshman year 25-13 with Clemson. She played No.2 singles for Clemson and finished her freshman year ranked No.58 in the nation. She also helped to lead the Tigers to the NCAA final four in 2005. Farah spent last season at Broward Community College.
In the doubles rankings, Audra Cohen and freshman Laura Vallverdu begin the season ranked No.7 in the country.
The All American Championships selections were announced and four players from the University of Miami will be participating. Cohen is the top seed in the main draw, while Banada is playing in the qualifying draw, and Farah and Vallverdu are in the pre-qualifying draw.
Audra Cohen and Laura Vallverdu will be playing doubles together, in the main draw, while Romy Farah and Audrey Banada will participate in the pre-qualifying draw. The All-American Championships will be played from Sept. 28- Oct. 8 in Las Angeles, Calif.
The Hurricanes will open their fall season this weekend, Sept.15-17 as they travel north to Gainesville for the Gator Fall Classic hosted by the University of Florida. The Invitational will include Miami, University of Florida, University of South Florida, and Duke University.
