Three Canes to Battle in Duke Fab-Four Invite
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Three University of Miami women’s tennis players willbe making their season debuts as they head to North Carolina to take part in theDuke Fab-Four Invite beginning Friday at the Cary Tennis Center.
The Hurricanes’ Lina Lileikite will begin her fall campaignranked as the No. 63 singles player in the nation. The sophomore will becompeting in the White Bracket and will face North Carolina’s Ashley Dai at2:30 p.m.
“Lina had an exceptional freshman year for us,” Miami headcoach Paige Yaroshuk-Tews said. “She has really come into this season as a fittennis player and I am looking forward to seeing her compete.”
Miami’s most veteran player is Melissa Bolivar. The Colombianative enters her junior season and will be looked upon as one of the squad’sleaders.
“I have no doubt that Melissa will be a leader by examplethis season,” Yaroshuk-Tews said. “She played some of the best tennis of hercareer in the NCAA Tournament last year and that will carry over into thisseason.”
Bolivar will be competing against Texas A&M’s 46th-rankedSun Wen Friday at 2:30 p.m. in the Black Bracket.
Kelsey Laurente will be making her collegiate debut in the BlueBracket. She will look to advance through the 16-player bracket beginning onFriday at 2:30 p.m. when she faces Purdue’s Mara Schmidt.
“Kelsey came in as one of the top American recruits and she’sexcited to begin her collegiate career,” Yaroshuk-Tews added. “I really believeshe will transition well into the college level. She’s a real competitor andthat will translate well for her.”
Laurente will also compete alongside Texas’ Annat Rabinovichin doubles action as the duo takes on North Carolina’s Whitney Kay and Dai at10 a.m. A win in the first round means little rest as the victor will play againimmediately at 11 a.m. against a semifinal opponent.
The Fab-Four Invitational showcases a number of playersranked in the ITA preseason rankings including three of the top 10 players inthe nation and 25 of the top 125 players. In addition, the invitational willsee 11 of the top 60 doubles teams compete.
The women’s tournament begins with the first and secondround of doubles on Friday starting at 10 a.m. and the first round of women’ssingles starting at 2:30 p.m. The action picks up on Saturday with the finalround of doubles starting at 9 a.m. and the second round of singles set tostart at 10:00 a.m., followed by the third round of singles at 1:00 p.m. Thefinals for singles will be Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m.
Duke Fab-Four Invitational Women’s Schedule
Friday, September 14th
10 a.m. 1st round of doubles
11 a.m. 2nd round of doubles
2:30 p.m. First round of singles
Saturday, September 15th
9 a.m. Final rounds of doubles
10 a.m. 2nd round of singles
1 p.m. 3rd round of singles
Sunday, September 16th
10:30 a.m. Final round of singles
