W. Tennis Dominates Pitt in ACC Opener, 4-0

By Teodor Handarov
HurricaneSports.com

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – For fifth straight season, the University of Miami women’s tennis team began ACC play on a high note, defeating Pittsburgh, 4-0, at the Neil Schiff Tennis Center Friday morning.

The Hurricanes (4-3, 1-0 ACC) dominated in all positions but one and outscored the Panthers, 48-4, in doubles and singles matches that counted for the final score.

“Overall, I’m just happy with the way we took care of business,” Miami head coach Paige Yaroshuk-Tews said. “To win matches 6-1, 6-0 is not easy to do, regardless of your opponent. The level of focus and level of discipline at [positions] one, two and five were really good. I think this was a good match to get under our belt before turning it around at 5 o’clock.”

The Hurricanes set the tone early on in the match, outscoring Pittsburgh, 17-3. in doubles competition. Miami’s duo of sophomore Estela Perez-Somarriba and junior Ana Madcur, ranked No. 33 in the nation, recorded a 6-0 victory over Luisa Varon and Gabriela Rezende.

Pittsburgh’s Natsumi Okamoto and Gabriela Rezende took only a game from senior Sinead Lohan and freshman Ulyana Shirokova, who claimed the doubles point with a 6-1 triumph.

Sophomore Dominika Paterova and junior Daniella Roldan were also rolling in doubles play, leading Callie Frey and Camila Moreno, 5-2, when play halted.

“I think we did a good job today of implementing some patterns in doubles that we needed to implement and playing a little bit more aggressively,” Yaroshuk-Tews said. “Obviously, it’s a little bit easier when the ball coming at you isn’t as penetrating, but you’ve got to be making the moves first in pressure situations and then implementing that when the balls get bigger.”

In singles play, No. 116 Lohan was as convincing as a result can be, blanking Moreno in back-to-back sets for a 6-0, 6-0 victory.

Almost simultaneously, No. 23 Perez-Somarriba wrapped up her contest, dominating Rezende, 6-1, 6-1.

It was Shirokova who wrapped up Miami’s first match of the day, recording the Hurricanes’ fourth perfect set in a 6-1, 6-0 win over Frey at No. 5.

No. 114 Madcur, the third nationally-ranked player on the Hurricanes’ roster, led Bartolome, 6-1, 2-1, when play was stopped

“Madcur started to play some better tennis, so I was happy to see that,” Yaroshuk-Tews said of the San Juan, Argentina, native.

At the bottom of the lineup, Paterova looked to be on the way to a straight-set victory herself after winning set one against Clara Lucas, 6-1, and winning the first three games of the second set.

The Panthers managed to win only one set in singles play, via Varon, who bested Roldan, 6-2, in the opening set. Miami’s junior, however, quickly shook off the poor start and was up 5-1 in set two before Shirokova claimed Miami’s victory.

The Hurricanes continue their Friday doubleheader against Florida Atlantic at 5 p.m. The match will likely feature a ranked matchup at the top position in singles play, where the Hurricanes will face the Owls’ Aliona Bolsova, ranked third in the nation.

“I’m looking forward to that match, it’s a big match for Estela,” Yaroshuk-Tews said. “You have got to play great to beat Estela and I think the girl she is playing is very solid as well. Estela has a great opportunity in front of her at home, so I hope she uses that to her advantage.”

To keep up with the University of Miami women’s tennis team on social media, follow @CanesWTennis on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

RESULTS

Doubles Competition
1. No. 33 Ana Madcur/Estela Perez-Somarriba (UM) def. Claudia Bartolome/Luisa Varon (UP), 6-0 
2. Dominika Paterova/Daniella Roldan (UM) vs. Callie Frey/Camila Moreno (UP), 5-2, unf.
3. Sinead Lohan/Ulyana Shirokova (UM) def. Natsumi Okamoto/Gabriela Rezende (UP), 6-1

Singles Competition
1. No. 23 Estela Perez-Somarriba (UM) def. Gabriela Rezende (UP), 6-1, 6-1
2. No. 116 Sinead Lohan (UM) def. Camila Moreno (UP), 6-0, 6-0
3. Daniella Roldan (UM) vs. Luisa Varon (UP), 2-6, 5-1, unf.
4. No. 114 Ana Madcur (UM) vs. Claudia Bartolome (UP), 6-1, 2-1, unf.
5. Ulyana Shirokova (UM) def. Callie Frey (UP), 6-1, 6-0
6. Dominika Paterova (UM) vs. Clara Lucas (UP), 6-1, 3-0, unf.