No. 10 Miami Remains Perfect with 6-1 Win over No. 15 FSU

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The 10th-ranked University of Miami women’s tennis team improved to 5-0 this season with a 6-1 victory over No. 15 Florida State in the Hurricanes’ ACC opener Sunday afternoon at the Neil Schiff Tennis Center.

Two days after sweeping No. 57 FIU, 7-0, the `Canes made quick work of rival FSU, winning the doubles point before claiming singles victories at No. 6, No. 1 and No. 2 to secure the match.

“I’m happy with the win,” head coach Paige Yaroshuk-Tews said. “It was important to start off ACC play with a victory and we did that today against a tough opponent.”

The `Canes jumped out a 3-0 lead with Brittany Dubins and 16th-ranked Bianca Eichkorn easing to wins at No. 6 and No. 1 respectively following the Hurricanes’ doubles point win. The next point then went the way of FSU at No. 3 singles but shortly thereafter, 98th-ranked Anna Bartenstein sealed the win for UM with a 7-0, 7-6 (5) victory over 18th-ranked Noemie Scharle.

“We didn’t close out some of the matches the way we are capable of,” Yaroshuk-Tews said. “And I wasn’t pleased with the way we came out to start doubles. Those are things we need to address.”

The match opened with Miami mounting a furious comeback to claim the doubles point. FSU led comfortably in all three matches and after the Seminoles won No. 2, the `Canes stormed back to win 8-6 at No. 3 and 9-7 at No. 1 with Eichkorn and Bartenstein beating Francesca Segarelli and Ruth Seaborne to give the `Canes the early lead.

“On a high note, we were able to respond once we were down and come out on top,” Yaroshuk-Tews said. “Our freshmen showed a lot of character at No. 3 doubles and it got us going today.”

After the match was decided, the `Canes pulled away with two more wins at Nos. 4 and 5 with Melissa Bolivar and Gabriela Mejia each picking up come-from-behind victories.

“We need to find a way to get through a match quicker and cleaner and a little more thorough,” Yaroshuk-Tews said. “Doubles has got to be played on our terms instead of being so responsive.

“All in all, we found a way to get the job done and I’m happy about that,” Yaroshuk-Tews added.

Eichkorn’s win at No. 1 – a quick 6-0, 6-0 victory over No. 42 Katie Rybakova – was here fifth straight to open the spring in the Hurricanes’ top singles spot. Same can be said for Dubins, who is now 5-0 at No. 6 singles this spring.

The Hurricanes will now begin preparation for next weekend’s ITA National Indoor Championships in Charlottesville, Va.

For all of the latest on the UM women’s tennis team, visit HurricaneSports.com or TheUTennis.com.