Men’s Tennis
The 10th ranked University of Miami women’s tennis team swept fellow Atlantic Coast Conference newcomer Virginia Tech, 7-0, in its inaugural ACC season opener at the Burrows/Burleson Tennis Center in Blacksburg, Va., Sunday afternoon.
The Hurricanes picked up their fifth straight victory and posted their fifth sweep of the season to improve to 7-2 overall and 1-0 in the ACC while Virginia Tech fell to 4-5 on the year and 0-4 in the conference. Miami is undefeated in seven matches all-time against the Hokies.
Miami’s fourth ranked tandem of senior Megan Bradley and sophomore Audrey Banada downed the Hokies’ Anat Elazari/Jessica Long duo 8-1 at No. 1 doubles as senior Staci Stevens and freshman Patricia Starzyk paired up to block Meredith Holmes and Bethan James 8-0 from the No. 3 slot to win the doubles point. Melissa Applebaum and Caren Seenauth overcame Kate Harrington and Ashley James 8-6 from the No. 2 position to complete the doubles sweep.
In singles, second ranked Bradley defeated Elazari in straight sets 6-2, 6-1 to give the Hurricanes a 2-0-match lead.
Starzyk extended her unbeaten streak to nine matches with a 6-2, 6-2 straight set victory over Harrington from the No. 5 slot while Applebaum took a straight set victory over Ashley James 6-1, 6-3 in No. 3 singles position to clinch the win.
Stevens won her fifth straight match with a 6-0, 6-3 victory over Long from the No. 2 slot while Banada upended Bethan James 6-1, 6-3 from the No. 4 spot. Seenauth downed Holmes 6-2, 6-3 from No. 6 singles to close the match.
The Hurricanes return to action Monday, March 7 when they host Boston College in the first match of their home stand at the Neil Schiff Tennis Center. Match time is set for 6:00 p.m.