No. 56 Audrey Banada Takes Down No. 10 Shadisha Robinson at the FIU Invitational
Jan. 19, 2007
Miami, Fla. – The fifth ranked University of Miami women’s tennis team wrapped-up the first day of singles flights and doubles flights at the FIU Invitational. The Hurricanes posted three wins in singles against No. 33 University of South Florida and finished with every win in doubles versus tournament host Florida International, Friday afternoon at FIU’s University Park courts.
Without their top two ranked players, No.1 Audra Cohen and No.6 Laura Vallverdu, the University of Miami women’s tennis team took to the courts with an impressive level of competition.
The day started at 10 a.m. as No. 56 ranked senior Audrey Banada opened the tournament with an outstanding win over 10th ranked Shadisha Robinson of South Florida in Flight 1 singles, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7-5). The last time the two met, Robinson defeated Banada in the quarterfinals of the Riviera/ITA All-American Championships, 6-0, 6-1.
“This is a great win for Audrey”, stated head coach Paige Yaroshuk-Tews. “I’m really impressed with the way she went out there and gave it her all. This was a great comeback from the fall.”
In Flight 4 singles, junior Gina Sabatino posted a 7-5, 6-2 win over USF’s Liz Cruz.
Making her collegiate debut, freshman Claudia Wasilewski posted her first win as a Hurricane taking down sophomore Iciri Rai. The rookie from Boulogne, France posted a 3-6, 6-3, 6-0 win in Flight 5 singles.
“With Claudia’s win, it shows a lot about where this program is headed”, commented Yaroshuk-Tews.
Miami finished the day dominating the doubles flights against three doubles teams from FIU. In Flight 1 Audrey Banada and Romy Farah defeated Paula Zabala and Nikkita Fountain, 8-2. As a first time doubles team, junior Caren Seenauth and Claudia Wasilewski paired well together winning the Flight 2 against Egle Petrauskaite and Maria Dolores. The last flight of doubles was a win from Gina Sabatino and senior Emily Mowery over FIU’s Priscilla Castillo and Marijana Cutuk, as the Miami duo finished with an 8-3 win in Flight 3.
The Hurricanes return to action for day two of the FIU Spring Classic Saturday at 10 a.m.
Singles:
Flight 1 UM – Audrey Banada def.USF – Shadisha Robinson (6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7-5))
Flight 2 USF – Courtney Vernon def. UM – Romy Farah (6-3, 6-3)
Flight 3 USF – Jessica Sweeting def. UM – Caren Seenauth (6-1, 6-4)
Flight 4 UM – Gina Sabatino def. USF – Liz Cruz (7-5, 6-2)
Flight 5 UM – Claudia Wasilewski def. USF – Iciri Rai (3-6, 6-3, 6-0)
Flight 6 USF – Gabriela Duch def. UM – Emily Mowery (6-3, 6-3)
Doubles:
Flight 1 UM-Audrey Banada /Romy Farah def. FIU – Paula Zabala/Nikkita Fountain (8-2)
Flight 2 UM-Caren Seenauth/Claudia Wasilewski def. FIU- Egle Petrauskaite/Maria Dolores (8-2)
Flight 3 UM-Gina Sabatino/Emily Mowery def. FIU – Priscilla Castillo/Marijana Cutuk (8-3)
