No. 11 Miami Sweeps No. 23 Ole Miss

Feb. 12, 2012

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The No. 11 University of Miami women’s tennis team wrapped up a successful weekend with a 4-0 sweep of No. 23 Ole Miss on the final day of action at the ITA National Women’s Team Indoor Championship. The team finished the tournament, hosted at the Boar’s Head Sports Club in Charlottesville, Va., with a 2-1 record.

“This tournament is tough and every team here plays great tennis,” Head Coach Paige Yaroshuk-Tews said. “We are a better team heading into the ACC season after this.”

The Rebels started the day strong with a victory in the No. 1 doubles position, but the Canes would fight back with an 8-3 win from their No. 2 combination of Melissa Bolivar and Liat Zimmerman. Miami seized control of doubles action with an 8-4 win from Gabriela Mejia and Lina Lileikite at No. 3, earning the match’s first point.

“We came up a little short in doubles the past couple of days. I thought we came out really strong at No. 2 and No. 3 today,” Yaroshuk-Tews said.

The Hurricanes would carry their momentum into singles play; three consecutive singles wins ended the match and the weekend’s action for the Canes.

Sophomore Brittany Dubins quickly took the point at No. 6 with a 6-1, 6-2 win. Senior Anna Bartenstein, ranked No. 15 in the nation, then upset No. 12 Kristi Boxx in dominating fashion (6-2, 6-4) at No. 1 to increase the team’s lead to 3-0. It was ultimately freshman newcomer Lileikite’s 7-5, 6-3 win at No. 3 singles that halted play and sealed the win.

At the No. 2 singles position, Mejia split the first two sets with the nation’s No. 54 Caroline Rohde-Moe. The two were tied 1-1 in the third set when play was stopped. Before the clincher from Lileikite, Bolivar and Zimmerman were looking strong in second sets after dropping their first sets in tie-break play.

“I am certainly happy leaving here with a 2-1 record,” Yaroshuk-Tews said after the match. “We beat two very good teams. I thought we got better each day.”

The Hurricanes will return to the courts Feb. 26 when they travel to Tallahassee to take on rival Florida State.

For more information regarding the 2012 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