WoMen's Tennis Opens Season Ranked Ninth

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami women’s tennis team will open its 2013 springcampaign as the nation’s ninth-ranked team as announced by the IntercollegiateTennis Association.

Last season, the Canesadvanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Women’s Tennis Championship for thefourth consecutive year before falling to eventual national champion Florida.

The Hurricanes’ 2013schedule features 16 different matches against teams ranked in the ITAPreseason Rankings, including 10 against teams in the Top 25.

The No. 9 ranking is thesame as their final 2012 ranking, a year in which the Canes rose to as high asNo. 5.

Three student-athletes werenamed in the individual rankings, led by freshman Kelsey Laurente at No. 51.The Miramar, Fla., native finished the fall season with an 8-3 record and wonthe State of Florida Championship.

Junior Lina Lileikite (No.57) and freshman Stephanie Wagner (No. 92) were also ranked.

To kick off the season, theCanes travel to Boca Raton, Fla., to take on FAU on Jan. 11. The next matchbegins a six-match homestand at the Neil Schiff Tennis Center as Miami hosts No.21 Illinois on Jan. 13.

For more information on theUniversity of Miami women’s tennis team, please log on to HurricaneSports.com.Follow the UM Women’s Tennis Team on twitter @HurricaneTennis.