Top-Ranked Stanford Edges No. 9 Miami, 4-3
Feb. 8, 2008
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<?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>MADISON, Wis. – The ninth-ranked University of Miami women’s tennis team suffered its first loss of the season Friday night to undefeated and top-ranked Stanford, 4-3, in quarterfinal action at the ITA National Women’s Team Indoor Championships at Nielsen Tennis Stadium.
After falling behind 2-0, Miami (4-1) would win two of the next three points to cut the Cardinal lead to one behind wins from Claudia Wasilewski in the No. 6 position and No. 29 Laura Vallverdu in the No. 1 spot but UM’s comeback effort would fall short as No. 58 Carolyn McVeigh defeated Caren Seenauth, 6-2, 6-3, in the No. 5 position to advance Stanford (3-0) in the semifinal round.
“Our team came back strong in singles play following a tough doubles point,” head coach Paige Yaroshuk-Tews said. “It was big to get a win at the top position and also at the bottom No. 6 position. We had the pillars covered and came up just a little short in the middle.”
The Cardinal earned the first point of the match after winning all three doubles matches. Stanford won by a count of 8-3 in both the No. 1 and No. 2 positions while also taking the No. 3 spot by a score of 8-4. Up 1-0, Stanford opened singles play with No. 21 Jessica Nguyen defeating Romy Farah in the No. 2 position, 6-3, 6-3, to put the Cardinal up by two.
Wasilewski would give UM its first point of the night with a 2-6, 7-6 (4), 6-3 victory over Leyla Hodzic but Whitney Deason was able to get the point back for Stanford with a 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 win over Bianca Eichkorn in the fourth position.
Vallverdu brought Miami within one at 3-2 with an exciting, 1-6, 6-2, 7-5 win over No. 39 Lindsay Burdette but the Hurricanes’ comeback bid would ultimately come up short with McVeigh’s win at No. 5.
“Stanford played a great match,” Yaroshuk-Tews said. “They were the better team tonight.”
Michaela Kissell and Hilary Barte went back and forth in the No. 3 spot before Kissell claimed a 1-6, 6-3, 7-6 (3) win to give UM its third and final point.
The Hurricanes’ will now take on No. 7 California in Saturday’s quarterfinal consolation bracket. The Bears also dropped their quarterfinal match with a 4-0 loss to No. 3 Northwestern Friday night. Saturday’s match between UM and Cal is tentatively scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET.
For complete results and Saturday’s schedule, visit the ITA’s tournament website.
Stanford 4, Miami 3
Singles
1. No. 29 Laura Vallverdu (UM) def. No. 39 Lindsay Burdette (Stanford), 1-6, 6-2, 7-5
2. No. 21 Jessica Nguyen (Stanford) def. Romy Farah (UM), 6-3, 6-3
3. Michaela Kissell (UM) def. Hilary Barte (Stanford), 1-6, 6-3, 7-6 (3)
4. Whitney Deason (Stanford) def. Bianca Eichkorn (UM), 3-6, 7-5, 6-3
5. No. 58 Carolyn McVeigh (Stanford) def. Caren Seenauth (UM), 6-2, 6-3
6. Claudia Wasilewski (UM) def. Leyla Hodzic def. 2-6, 7-6 (4), 6-3
Order of finish: 2, 6, 4, 1, 5*, 3
Doubles
1. Lindsay Burdette/Hilary Barte (Stanford) def. Laura Vallverdu/Romy Farah (UM), 8-3
2. Whitney Deason/Jessica Nguyen (Stanford) def. Michaela Kissell/Gina Sabatino (UM), 8-3
3. Celia Durkin/Carolyn McVeigh (Stanford) def. Caren Seenauth/Bianca Eichkorn (UM), 8-4
Quarterfinal Results
#1 Stanford 4, #8 Miami 3
#4 Georgia Tech 7, #5 Georgia 0
#3 Northwestern 4, #6 California 0
North Carolina 4, #7 Southern California 3
Consolation Results
Fresno State 5, Clemson 1
#2 UCLA 4, Arkansas 3
Notre Dame 4, William & Mary 3
Baylor 7, Wisconsin 0
