W. Tennis Set to Continue Fall Action
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – After posting a 22-5 mark to begin the 2019-20 campaign, including a 20-4 record in singles, the University of Miami women’s tennis team will resume play at two locations this weekend.
Four Hurricanes are headed to Orlando, Fla., for the USTA Fall Ranked Spotlight, while two will fly to the ITA Hall of Fame Classic in Williamsburg, Va.
The inaugural USTA Fall Ranked Spotlight, held at the USTA National Campus, will feature players from nine teams that finished the 2019 season in the ITA top 25. Joining Miami (No. 20), are individuals from South Carolina (No. 5), NC State (No. 11), Oklahoma State (No. 12), UCF (No. 19), Virginia (No. 21), Tennessee (No. 22), Florida (No. 24) and Ohio State (No. 25).
The 32-player singles draw features 19 ranked competitors, including 17 in the top 100 and two in the top eight. There are four doubles pods with four teams each, featuring a total of seven ranked pairs, including two in the top six.
“This event in Orlando is comprised of some exceptional competition. The level will be high, beginning with our first rounds,” Miami head coach Paige Yaroshuk-Tews said. “We need to be hungry and play hard for every single point, and we need to stay mentally aware of changing situations. Being on the road presents really quality time to grow as a unit, which is what we want to get from this weekend, as well.”
Second-ranked Estela Perez-Somarriba, a senior whose last match at the USTA National Campus was her victory in the NCAA title match, is the top seed in the singles draw. Sophomore Daevenia Achong, who is ranked No. 80, has a No. 9-16 seed, while freshman Selma Cadar and senior Yuna Ito are also in the field.
Achong and Perez-Somarriba, ranked No. 33, will take part in Doubles Flight B, while Cadar and Ito are in Doubles Flight C. Action will begin Friday at 9 a.m. with doubles action, with the second round of doubles play set for Sunday.
Singles competition starts Friday at 10 a.m., with another round to follow and then two more Saturday and the last one Sunday. For more information on the USTA Fall Ranked Spotlight, including a live streaming link, click HERE.
Meanwhile, freshman Nada Dimovska and sophomore Lucia Marzal will be at William & Mary for the aforementioned ITA Hall of Fame Classic.
The tournament features individuals from Miami, Liberty, Maryland, Old Dominion, Penn State, VCU and West Virginia. Competition will be a mock-dual format rather than bracket style.
Miami will begin with doubles matches at 9 a.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, followed by singles competition at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Miami meets West Virginia, VCU and Old Dominion, respectively in doubles, and then VCU, Maryland and Old Dominion respectively in singles.
“We are excited for Nada to have her first trip as a Hurricane. She is truly a pleasure to have around and is looking to get better every day,” Miami associate head coach Laura Vallverdu said. “Lucia is ready to continue embarking on her process this fall. We are looking for her to be aggressive in taking leadership of her own journey; trust that preparation leads to confidence. All in all, just excited to continue building our 2019-20 season.”
To keep up with the University of Miami women’s tennis team on social media, follow @CanesWTennis on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
