No. 9 W. Tennis Sweeps Wake Forest, 7-0

CORAL GABLES, Fla. –After a dominant performance against No. 35 North Carolina State on Thursday, the 9th-ranked University of Miami women’s tennis team notched its second straight shu out win of the week, drubbing Wake Forest, 7-0, Saturday afternoon at the Neil Schiff Tennis Center.  Miami improves to 4-1 in ACC play and 13-3 overall on the dual season.

“I think the girls are playing well,” head coach Paige Yaroshuk-Tews said.  “This last segment of matches post FSU we have been doing really well as a team. We have been getting better and today was kind of an interesting match, not having players in certain spots.

“The girls that did play did a good job and stepped up.  I am happy with the results.”

Today’s victory closes out a perfect month for the Hurricanes.  All while facing some of the nation’s best, including No. 22 Texas, No. 23 Clemson and No. 29 Baylor, the Hurricanes were able mark an unblemished 7-0 record in March.

The Hurricanes only had to win one doubles match against Wake Forest to clinch the doubles point, as the Demon Deacons forfeited their third doubles team.  On court one, Miami’s 31st-ranked tandem of Stephanie Wagner and Lina Lileikite held a commanding 4-1 lead before Kasey Gardiner and Kathryn Talbert retired due to injury, giving the Hurricanes its eighth consecutive doubles point.

Doubles play on court two continued after the point was clinched and the Hurricanes grabbed another doubles win, as Melissa Bolivar and Kelsey Laurente cruised to an 8-3 victory over Karen Forman and Xue Zhang.

The Hurricanes dominated the Demon Deacons in singles competition, winning all four courts in straight sets.

Due to a forfeit on court six and a medical withdrawal of one of its players, Wake Forest surrendered two points going into singles, putting the Hurricanes up 3-0. 

Standout freshman and 122nd-ranked Clementina Riobueno highlighted singles play for the Hurricanes.  The Barquisimeto, Venezuela native clinched the victory for the Hurricanes with a lopsided, 6-1, 6-1, victory over Karen Forman at the No. 3 position.

Lina Lileikite relinquished only two games in her match against Xue Zhang on her way to a quick, 6-2, 6-0, victory at No. 2 singles, giving the Canes a 5-0 advantage.

No. 104 Stephanie Wagner downed Wake Forest’s Kasey Gardiner in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4, giving the freshman her team-leading 13th dual singles win of the season.

Deborah Suarez rounded out Miami’s scoring for the day with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over the Demon Deacons’ Andrea Retolaza. Suarez has won all of her singles matches this season, posting a perfect 7-0 record.

Miami will next travel to College Park, Md., for a conference match against Maryland on Friday, April 5 at noon at the College Park Tennis Center.

Singles Results
1. Stephanie Wagner (UM) def. Kasey Gardiner (WF) 6-1, 6-4
2. Lina Lileikite (UM) def. Xue Zhang (WF) 6-2, 6-0
3. Clementina Riobueno (UM) def. Karen Forman (WF) 6-1, 6-1
4. Deborah Suarez (UM) def. Andrea Retolaza (WF) 6-3, 6-4
5. No player (UM) def. No player (WF), by forfeit
6. No player (UM) def. No player (WF), by forfeit

Doubles Results
1. #31 Stephanie Wagner/Lina Lileikite (UM) def. Kasey Gardiner/Kathryn Talbert (WF) retired
2. Melissa Bolivar/Kelsey Laurente (UM) def. Karen Forman/Xue Zhang (WF) 8-3

Order of Finish
Doubles (2,1); Singles (5,6,3,2,1,4)