March 11, 2008

<?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>Coral Gables, Fla. – Miami’s Daniel Vallverdu has been named Atlantic Coast Conference Men’s Tennis Player of the Week after helping the No. 24 Hurricanes open league action with a 2-0 record, defeating No. 39 Georgia Tech, 5-2, and No. 60 Clemson, 4-3. The league honor is the second of the season for Vallverdu.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>

 

The nation’s No. 3 singles player, Vallverdu was instrumental in Miami finishing undefeated last week. Against Clemson on Sunday, the junior bounced back from a slow start to knock off the Tigers’ Carlos Alvarez, 5-7, 6-2, 6-1, at the top singles position and clinch the victory for the Hurricanes. The native from Valencia, Venezuela, also picked up a singles win last Friday defeating Georgia Tech’s Guillermo Gomez, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5, at the No. 1 spot.

 

The Hurricanes are back at home to host a pair of matches this week at the NeilSchiffTennisCenter. Miami will face No. 54 Purdue on Thursday at 2 p.m., and then close out the week against No. 17 Florida State on Saturday at 3 p.m.

 

Saturday’s match has been designated “Youth Day” and will feature a free tennis demonstration after the match for kids in eighth grade and under. In addition, those same kids will have the chance to enter a drawing to win a week of tennis camp with Miami head coach Mario Rincon. Free pizza and posters will also be available.