Day One of UM Spring Invitational Sees D'Agord in Tied for Lead
Jan. 13, 2007
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Senior Luigi D’Agord knocked off Michigan’s Matko Maravic in straight sets Saturday at the Neil Schiff Tennis Center to sit tied for first in the overall point standings at the conclusion of the first day of competition at the UM Spring Invitational.
D’Agord, the 2006 ACC Player of the Year, toppled 44th-ranked Maravic 6-3, 6-0 to earn nine points towards the overall championship title at the UM Spring Invitational which features players from UM, Michigan, Texas, Alabama and Duke in a three-day competition.
In addition to D’Agord’s victory in the top flight, Miami senior Josh Cohen defeated Michigan’s Ryan Heller, 6-3, 6-0.
Also competing Saturday, was sophomore Daniel Vallverdu, who fell to Michigan’s 59th-ranked Brian Hung (6-2, 6-2), freshman Hector Neito, who dropped a 7-6, 6-7, 6-3 decision to Geoge Navas of Michigan, freshman J.C. Whitner, who was defeated by Michigan’s Peter Aarts (6-1, 6-4) and freshman Westin Wendt, who fell to Scott Bruckman of Michigan (7-6, 6-2).
“It was great to have impeccable senior leadership today in Luigi and Josh in order to set the tone for the season for the rest of our guys,” said head coach Mario Rincon.
“Also looking at someone like Hector, who even though he was unable to pull away with a win, we are pleased with his improvement as a freshman. If he, along with all of our guys, continue to work the way they have and commit themselves to matches the way they did today, they will certainly be able to contribute in a significant way to our program.”
D’Agord enters the Sunday tied with Texas’ Milian Mihailovic, who defeated Duke’s Peter Rodrigues (4-6, 7-6, 6-1), for a share of the lead.
In doubles action, D’Agord and Cohen knocked off Migues Reyes Varela and Mihailovic 8-5.
Play on the second day of competition at the UM Spring Invitational is slated to being with singles at 10 a.m. at the Neil Schiff Tennis Center. Admission is free.
