Miami Advances to ACC Finals with 4-0 Win over FSU
April 18, 2009
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Cary, N.C. – The sixth-ranked Miami Hurricanes (23-3) took a 4-0 win over in-state rival and 17th-ranked Florida State (16-7) on Saturday in the ACC Semifinals, rolling into Sunday’s ACC Women’s Tennis Championship match at Cary Tennis Park in Cary, N.C. The `Canes prepare for their fourth ACC Championship match in their first five years of joining the league.
“It’s always a good day when you can beat FSU,” stated UM head coach Paige Yaroshuk-Tews, who avenged last year’s ACC Quarterfinal loss to the Seminoles. “We fought through some nerves a little bit in doubles, and got off to a good start in singles. They’re an emotional team, and for us to get off to a good start is necessary.”
Miami, the top seed in this year’s tournament, opened up the day with a 1-0 lead having collected the doubles point in two-of-three matches.
UM fell behind early in doubles as the FSU team of Lauren Macfarlane and Noemie Scharle defeated the Hurricanes’ Gabriela Mejia and Claudia Wasilewski at the third slot, 8-1. The `Canes fought right back in two exciting matches.
The 13th-ranked doubles team of Michaela Kissell and Laura Vallverdu rallied to defeat Florida State’s Federica Suess and Katie Rybakova at the No. 1 doubles spot, 9-7. That was followed by one of the most exciting matches of the tournament at the second slot. The `Canes 52nd-ranked doubles pair of Julia Cohen and Bianca Eichkorn fought past the `Noles pair of Bonny Davidson and Jessica Sucupira, 9-8(3) to give UM the all-important 1-0 advantage heading into singles play.
“Our No. 1 and 2 doubles are really getting it done,” expressed Yaroshuk-Tews. “Today, I think they were feeling the heat of having to win their match, but they worked through it. Our doubles is fine, and they’re playing smart. Going into singles and having a point on our side is huge.”
In singles play, the Hurricanes were eagerly seeking a chance to advance to their fourth ACC Finals in five years–and the first against a team other than Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets have defeated the `Canes in all three of their previous ACC Finals trips.
No. 50 Michaela Kissell was the first off the court as she took down FSU’s Ania Rynarzewska in straight sets (6-3, 6-2) at the No. 4 singles spot. Kissell continues her impressive wins streak at 12 matches, upping her record for the year to 34-7.
That was followed by No. 30 Bianca Eichkorn of the Hurricanes earning a 6-0, 6-3 decision over Lauren Macfarlane at the third slot. Eichkorn has now won 11-straight matches, and now sits just one win shy of a share of third place all-time at UM for single-season victories.
UM closed out the shutout victory with a 6-3, 6-4 straight-set line coming from No. 25 Laura Vallverdu at flight two singles. She triumphed over No. 42 Noemie Scharle of Florida State. For Vallverdu, she runs her record for the year to 24-7, while also amassing her eighth consecutive win. She has been critical in both matches in the ACC Championships for the `Canes so far.
“I think Michaela [Kissell] played a girl that had the ability to give her some trouble, and she took her out of her game,” added Yaroshuk-Tews. “Bianca [Eichkorn] is playing some of the best tennis I’ve ever seen her play. And Laura [Vallverdu], like I said a month ago, is starting to turn the corner. I think the girls are raring to go, and physically I feel like they’re fine.”
Miami has now won 12 consecutive matches dating back to their only conference loss of the year at Georgia Tech (Mar. 7). Head coach Paige Yaroshuk-Tews, named as this year’s ACC Coach of the Year, also seeks her first ACC crown in Coral Gables.
UM now waits for the winner of this afternoon’s other semifinal between two more ACC and in-state rivals, second-seed Duke and fifth-seed North Carolina. Miami’s match against the Seminoles from this morning can be seen over the internet through ACC Select beginning at 6 p.m.
The ACC Championships continue tomorrow with the championship match streamed over the internet at www.ACCselect.com. For more information on the event and the ACC Select schedule, please log on to www.TheACC.com.
For more information on University of Miami Women’s Tennis, please log on to www.hurricanesports.com. After browsing to the women’s tennis home page, you will find the latest news, stats and match notes pertaining to the Hurricanes Women’s Tennis program.
