`Canes Fall in Close Match with No. 7 UCLA at ITA Indoors

Feb. 19, 2011

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The ninth-ranked University of Miami women’s tennis team lost a 4-2 decision to No. 7 UCLA Saturday in consolation play at the 2011 ITA National Women’s Team Indoor Championship at the Boar’s Head Sports Club.

For the second straight day, Miami’s (5-2) fate was decided in a third set, as UCLA (7-3) clinched the win when Maya Johansson took down Bistra Otashliyska, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 in the No. 6 singles position.

The match opened with the `Canes winning the doubles point. UM won 8-5 at No. 2 and UCLA evened it up with an 8-4 win at No.3 but the 42nd-ranked tandem of Bianca Eichkorn and Anna Bartenstein pulled away for an 8-5 win at No. 1 to put Miami up early.

When singles play got underway, 73rd-ranked Pamela Montez quickly tied it up at 1-1 when she beat 115th-ranked Gabriela Mejia, 6-4, 6-0 at No. 5. From there, Danielle Mills lost a 6-1, 6-3 decision at No. 3, but 10th-ranked Eichkorn won 6-4, 6-4 at No. 1 to even the match at 2-2.

UCLA went back ahead with a 6-2, 6-4 win at No. 4 and with No. 2 and No. 6 singles moving to a third set, it was ultimately a win at No. 6 for the Bruins that ended play.

At No. 2, Anna Bartenstein on the first set 6-4 and dropped the second 7-6 before play was halted heading into a third set.

The Hurricanes will now face No. 11 Tennessee Sunday morning at 9 a.m.

For more information regarding the 2011 ITA National Women’s Team Indoor Championship, visit www.ITATennis.com. For additional coverage of UM’s women’s tennis team, visit www.TheUTennis.com.