UM Women's Tennis to Host 2011 ITA Kick-Off Weekend
June 2, 2010
Skillman, N.J. – The University of Miami women’s tennis team is once again set to serve as a regional host for the 2011 ITA Kick-Off Weekend, selected for a third consecutive season, announced Wednesday evening by the ITA Office in Skillman, N.J. The Coral Gables Regional will take place at the Neil Schiff Tennis Center on the campus of the University of Miami, running January 28-31, 2011.
After finishing the 2010 campaign ranked 10th in the final ITA poll and collecting an overall record of 20-6 (10-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) – and earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals for consecutive years (the fourth time in the last five seasons), the Hurricanes were selected as one of 15 host sites for the 2011 ITA Kick-Off Weekend.
“It is always very beneficial to host such a big event on your own home court,” stated UM women’s tennis head coach Paige Yaroshuk-Tews.
Joining Miami in the 2011 Coral Gables field will be the University of South Carolina, Arizona State and FIU. The `Canes will serve as the top seed in the Coral Gables Regional, while South Carolina will be the second seed, followed by Arizona State (No. 3) and FIU (No. 4).
South Carolina ended the year ranked No. 19 in the final ITA poll, collecting a record of 17-9 en route to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, before falling to Florida State out of the ACC. Meanwhile, Arizona State finished the year ranked 21st in the country after turning in a record of 14-6 on the campaign, ending its season with a second round appearance in the NCAA Tournament, eventually falling to conference opponent UCLA in the Los Angeles Regional.
The final team joining the Coral Gables Regional will be cross-town opponent FIU. The Golden Panthers are under the direction of second-year head coach Melissa Applebaum, a former All-America performer with the Hurricanes of UM. FIU finished the 2010 slate ranked No. 54, but failed to make the NCAA Tournament. The Golden Panthers did, however, advance to the Sun Belt Conference Tournament finals, before suffering a 4-3 setback to the University of North Texas.
The ITA Kick-Off Weekend features 15 host sites with four teams at each site vying to advance to the Team Indoor Championships. The 15 schools that win both of their matches at these events will be invited to play in the Feb. 18-21 ITA National Team Indoor Championships at the at the Boar’s Head Sports Club (hosted by the Univ. of Virginia).
The other 14 teams selected to host regional sites for the third annual Kick-Off Weekend include Stanford, Florida, North Carolina, Baylor, Notre Dame, UCLA, Northwestern, Michigan, Duke, Clemson, California, Tennessee, Florida State and Georgia Tech. That gives the ACC a total of six teams hosting in the 60-team field.
The No. 1 team in each site will face the No. 4 team. The No. 2 team will face the No. 3 team. Two matches are guaranteed – the winners/losers will play the following day.
Complete draft results and Kick-Off Weekend information can be viewed at http://www.itatennis.com/Events/Kick-OffWeekend.htm.
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.
