Miami Women's Tennis Hosts ITA Kick-Off Weekend
Jan. 30, 2009
Coral Gables, Fla. – The University of Miami women’s tennis team is serving as one of 15 host sites during this weekend 2009 ITA National Indoor Qualifier, with UM hosting Saturday and Sunday at the Neil Schiff Tennis Center in Coral Gables, Fla. The winner(s) from each host site will then head to Madison, Wisconsin next weekend (Feb. 12-15) for the ITA National Indoor Finals.
The Hurricanes will be joined by teams from the University of Utah, University of Tennessee and University of Virginia for the weekend affair. The matches begin on Saturday, January 31 at 10 a.m. with the University of Miami taking on the University of Utah. That match will be followed promptly at 2 p.m. by the University of Tennessee vs. University of Virginia.
Miami (3-0) enters the weekend ranked No. 13 in this week’s ITA poll, staying put at that position from three weeks ago after victories over Florida Gulf Coast, Florida Atlantic and FIU. The `Canes are led by four players ranked in the polls, including two-time All-American junior Laura Vallverdu (No. 114) who is 3-0 on the campaign, as well as sophomore Julia Cohen (No. 8) who likewise owns a perfect 3-0 mark for the Orange and Green. Together, the duo has performed admirably in doubles play, holding a 3-0 record as well.
The nationally-ranked doubles team of UM sophomores Michaela Kissell and Bianca Eichkorn, ranked No. 14, sits at 3-0 on the year while both players are ranked individually as well. Kissell is ranked No. 50, while Eichkorn is No. 20–losing her first match of the year against FIU on Wednesday afternoon.
The Utah Utes (1-1) enter the weekend ranked No. 47, climbing three spots from the previous poll. The Virginia Cavaliers (2-0) come into the weekend ranked No. 28, making the highest move in this week’s poll up 13 spots from No. 41. That is followed by Tennessee Lady Vols (2-0) who are ranked No. 23, rising a spot from No. 24, after defeated Purdue and No. 37 Illinois.
The second day of action will feature the consolation match beginning at 10 a.m. The championship match will begin at 1 p.m., or 30 minutes following the conclusion of the first match.
For more information on the ITA and the entire Kick-Off weekend for the ITA National Indoor Qualifier, please locate your internet browser to www.itatennis.com.
For a complete tournament information, live stats, box scores and recaps, please log on to www.hurricanesports.com, and simply navigate to the women’s tennis home page where a full tournament link with all pertinent and up-to-date information will be provided.
