Vallverdu, Kissell Lead No. 9 UM Past No. 7 Cal
Feb. 9, 2008
<?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>MADISON, Wis. – Michaela Kissell won her ninth-straight match to open the season and No. 29 Laura Vallverdu picked up her second-consecutive win over a Top-40 opponent at the No.1 position as the ninth-ranked University of Miami women’s tennis team defeated No. 7 California, 4-3, in quarterfinal consolation action Saturday at the ITA National Women’s Team Indoor Championships at Nielsen Tennis Stadium.
“We had such an incredible team effort today from the players to the coaching staff,” head coach Paige Yaroshuk-Tews said. “I am so proud of this program and where we are situated so early in the season. We need to continue improving every day and shooting for May as our time to shine.” <?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
A day after a win over No. 39 Lindsay Burdette of top-ranked Stanford in the top position Friday, Vallverdu continued to impress Saturday with a 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 victory over No. 10 Susie Babos of Cal to give UM a 3-1 lead. Just prior to that, Kissell, who has established herself early on as a force in UM’s No. 3 spot, won her second match against a ranked opponent over weekend with a 6-1, 6-4 win over No. 54 Cristina Visico.
“I am so happy for our freshmen who have set the tone for the future of this program and today I am especially happy for Laura Vallverdu,” Yaroshuk-Tews said. “Babos won the NCAA singles championship as a sophomore in 2006 and is undoubtedly one of the top players in collegiate tennis. I think Lau has proven to herself that she’s not merely here to participate, but to dominate. As a coach, it was very rewarding to see that from her today.”
Bianca Eichkorn would ultimately give Miami (5-1) its first victory over a Top 10 team this season with a solid win over Bojana Bobusi in the No. 4 position, 6-4, 6-4.
The first point of the match would go down to the wire in the No. 1 doubles position after Cal won in the No. 2 spot and UM took the No. 3 position. Vallverdu and Farah, after trailing early, rallied back to pick up a crucial 9-8 (1) victory to put the `Canes ahead early.
Cal (2-2) would pick up the first singles win in the No. 6 position but wouldn’t pick up another until the `Canes had already clinched the win.
The Hurricanes will return to Coral Gables this week when they play host to in-state foe UCF Saturday, Feb. 16 at 12 p.m. and No. 11 Baylor Sunday, Feb. 17 at 11 a.m.
For complete results from this weekend’s play in Madison, visit the ITA’s tournament website.
Miami 4, California 3
Singles
1. No. 29 Laura Vallverdu (UM) def. No. 10 Susie Babos (Cal), 6-3, 4-6, 6-4
2. Marina Cossou (Cal) def. Romy Farah (UM), 4-6, 6-4, 7-5
3. Michaela Kissell (UM) def. No. 54 Cristina Visico (Cal), 6-1, 6-4
4. Bianca Eichkorn (UM) def. No. 31 Bojana Bobusic (Cal), 6-4, 6-4
5. Claire Ilcinkas (Cal) def. Caren Seenauth (UM), 7-6 (5), 6-4
6. Stephanie Kusano (Cal) def. Claudia Wasilewski (UM), 6-0, 6-1
Order of finish: 6, 3, 1, 4*, 5, 2
Doubles
1. Laura Vallverdu/Romy Farah (UM) def. No. 36 Susie Babos/Stephanie Kusano (Cal), 9-8 (1)
2. Marina Cossou/Claire Ilcinkas (Cal) def. Michaela Kissell/Gina Sabatino (UM), 8-2
3. Caren Seenauth/Bianca Eichkorn (UM) def. Bojana Bobusic/Rachael Dillon (Cal), 8-2
Semifinal Results
#4 Georgia Tech 4, #1 Stanford 3
#3 Northwestern 4, North Carolina 0
Quarterfinal Consolation Results
#8 Miami 4, #6 California 3
#5 Georgia 4, #7 Southern Cal 3
Saturday Consolation Results
Fresno State 4, Arkansas 3
UCLA 5, Clemson 2
Baylor 5, Notre Dame 1
William & Mary 5, Wisconsin 2
