College Tennis News - ITA National Women's Team Indoor Championships Website

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -The eighth-seeded University of Miami women's tennis team, powered by strong singles performances, advanced to the quarterfinals of the 26th annual ITA National Women's Team Indoor Championships.

A 4-2 win over the 17th-ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers at The Boar's Head Sports Club, guaranteed the Canes a matchup with top-seeded UCLA on Saturday at noon.

No. 17 Nebraska vs. No. 10 Miami

t only played tough, which is expected in this tournament, but we played intelligently in pressure situations," said Miami head coach Paige Yaroshuk-Tews, a UCLA alumna.

Trailing 2-1, Miami's eldest player, junior Melissa Bolivar, settled down after a first set loss to defeat the Huskers' Janine Weinreich, 2-6, 6-4, 6-1.

"Bolivar completely changed the match and decided to play on her terms," said Yaroshuk-Tews. "The first set was super fast and Nebraska was just hitting the huge shots. Towards the end, Bolivar was simply dictating play."

The Canes seemed motivated by Bolivar's match-tying victory and two freshmen closed out the day with three-set wins. Ranked 92nd in the country, Stephanie Wagner defeated Maggy Lehmicke, 6-3, 4-6, 6-1, giving UM a 3-2 lead.

The clincher went to Miami's top-ranked player, No. 51 Kelsey Laurente. The Miramar, Fla., native cruised in the first set, winning 6-1. After falling in the second, 5-7, she traded games with Stefanie Weinstein and the third set was even at 4-4. Laurente, remained calm and outworked her opponent to win the final two games.

"Kelsey played so big at the end of her match," said Yaroshuk-Tews. "She really used the middle of the court well and had nerves of steel. For a freshman, that's a great day!"

Miami first point of the match went to another freshman, Clementina Riobueno. Playing at No. 6, she made quick work of Izabella Zgiersja, 6-1, 6-1.

Riobueno, Bolivar and Laurente each moved to a perfect 6-0 on the season in dual matches.

Nebraska edged Miami In a back-and-forth battle in doubles, narrowly edging the Canes in two of three doubles matches.

After Bolivar and Laurente fell 8-6 at No. 2, Albuquerque - making her collegiate debut - and Riobueno closed out an 8-7 victory over the Huskers' Weinstein and Weinreich at No. 3. Lileikite and Wagner led 6-5 at No. 1 doubles, but couldn't hold off Weatherholt and Veresova, who came back to clinch the point for Nebraska, 8-7.

Yaroshuk-Tews said of the quick Husker team, accustomed to indoor play, "Nebraska is a tough W inside. I am so proud of our fight, physically, combined with our calmness, mentally."
For live updates and updated brackets, visit the ITA tournament website.

Singles competition
1. Mary Weatherholt (NEB) def. Monique Albuquerque (UM) 6-2, 7-6
2. #57 Lina Lileikite (UM) vs. Patricia Veresova (NEB) 7-6, 3-6, 1-4, unfinished
3. #51 Kelsey Laurente (UM) def. Stefanie Weinstein (NEB) 6-1, 5-7, 6-4
4. Melissa Bolivar (UM) def. Janine Weinreich (NEB) 2-6, 6-4, 6-1
5. #92 Stephanie Wagner (UM) def. Maggy Lehmicke (NEB) 6-3, 4-6, 6-1
6. Clementina Riobueno (UM) def. Izabella Zgierska (NEB) 6-1, 6-1

Doubles competition
1. Mary Weatherholt/Patricia Veresova (NEB) def. Lina Lileikite/Stephanie Wagner (UM) 8-7 (7-5)
2. Stefanie Weinstein/Janine Weinreich (NEB) def. Melissa Bolivar/Kelsey Laurente (UM) 8-6
3. Monique Albuquerque/Clementina Riobueno (UM) def. Maggy Lehmicke/Izabella Zgierska (NEB) 8-7

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