No. 8 Women's Tennis Set to Host No. 21 Arkansas
March 17, 2009
Coral Gables, Fla. – The No. 8 Miami Hurricanes continue their four-match homestand Wednesday, hosting the No. 21 Arkansas Razorbacks out of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) to the Neil Schiff Tennis Center at noon in Coral Gables, Fla. This is the second SEC opponent Miami has faced this year, knocking off Tennessee (W, 5-2) earlier in the year during the ITA National Indoor Qualifier in Coral Gables.
Miami (13-3) enters the contest having won its last two matches, including a 7-0 sweep of No. 24 Florida State in the last outing. Arkansas counters with an 8-3 overall mark, and has won its last three consecutive matches.
The Hurricanes have had a week off since their last match, and used the time to focus on a variety of things. The Hurricanes fell to No. 8 in this week’s Campbell’s/ITA national poll, despite winning their only match last week against the in-state Seminoles.
The matchup to watch on Wednesday will be between two expected No. 1 singles players. Miami’s Julia Cohen (No. 6) and the nation’s fourth-ranked player Aurelija Miseviciute from Arkansas will highlight what is expected to be an exciting afternoon of women’s tennis action. Cohen faced Arkansas’ Ela Kaluder earlier in the year when Kaluder was ranked No. 46, as she knocked off the Razorback in straight sets (7-5, 6-1).
Four Hurricanes are ranked in the latest singles polls, including Cohen–winner of her last seven matches, jumping up to No. 6. She was previously ranked 13th for the past two weeks.
Joining Cohen in the Top 25 this week is two-time All-American Laura Vallverdu, earning her highest ranking of the year at No. 24. Vallverdu is currently 15-6 on the season, winning seven of her last 10 matches. With her latest victory, she moved into sole possession of 15th place all-time in program history for wins in a career with 78.
Joining the Hurricanes in the rankings, though staying put from the last poll is sophomore Bianca Eichkorn at No. 40. Eichkorn is currently holding a team-best record of 27-6 on the year, and moved into a share for 36th place all-time at UM in career victories with 56 wins. She shares the position with Leanne Gutkin (1993-96). Eichkorn also faced off against an Arkansas player in the fall as she defeated Anouk Tigu in straight sets (6-1, 6-1).
Sophomore Michaela Kissell leaped up to No. 50 this week, rounding out the singles rankings for the `Canes.
This is the most amount of Hurricanes in the Top 50 at one time in several years for UM. The closest they’ve come in recent history was during the 2007 campaign when they used Audra Cohen (1), Laura Vallverdu (6), Romy Farah (53) and Audrey Bañada (56) in the first week’s polls.
This will serve as just the second-ever meeting between the Hurricanes and Razorbacks, while the last meeting was a 4-1 decision in favor of Arkansas during the 2001 NCAA Regional in Gainesville. Live stats for the event will be available through the University of Miami athletic website by visiting www.hurricanesports.com.
About Arkansas…
The Razorbacks come into Wednesday’s contest ranked No. 21 in the latest Campbell’s/ITA poll, having jumped from No. 28 the previous week, and sporting a record of 8-3 overall (3-1 in the Southeastern Conference). They are led by top singles player Aurelija Miseviciute who stands at an impressive 27-2 record on the campaign. Arkansas has won three straight matches entering Wednesday’s match.
Series vs. Arkansas…
Believe it or not, these two storied programs have met just once throughout time. The only meeting between these two teams came back in the NCAA Tournament [Gainesville Region] back in 2001, with the Razorbacks of Arkansas taking that contest, 4-1. Head coach Paige Yaroshuk-Tews has never faced Arkansas in her tenure in Coral Gables.
Singles Will Do Just Fine…
Miami is 76-19 in its singles matches this year, including a 31-6 mark in their last six matches–all against nationally ranked opponents. Miami has claimed a total of five shutouts this year, and six more wins coming by a 6-1 decision. The Hurricanes may not be collecting the doubles point all the time, but a singles shot will do just fine.
Feeling Right at Home…
After defeating the rival Seminoles of Florida State last week, the Hurricanes of Miami are now 9-0 at home on the year. That stretches their home record to 11 consecutive wins at the Neil Schiff Tennis Center dating back to last year’s NCAA Regional.
Hurricanes Go to No. 8 in ITA Poll…
Despite winning their only match in a 7-0 win over rival No. 24 Florida State last week, the Hurricanes fell to No. 8 this week in the Campbell’s/ITA team poll. The `Canes are currently 13-3 on the year, and sit at 3-1 in ACC play.
Up Next for the `Canes…
The Hurricanes take on nationally-ranked ACC foe North Carolina on Friday, Mar. 20 at noon back at the Neil Schiff Tennis Center in Coral Gables. Two days later, they play host to Duke.
