Hegarty and Razorbacks earn record win

EVANSTON, Ill. - The University of Arkansas women's tennis team had a strong performance in their second match at the ITA Kickoff Weekend, defeating Washington  State 5-2. With the victory, Arkansas head coach Michael Hegarty becomes the all-time leader in victories in Arkansas women's tennis history.

"First of all congratulations to our young squad for a very impressive performance today against a quality opponent," Hegarty said. "This victory I hope will propel our group forward in a very positive way as we gain experience against one of the nation's toughest schedules.

Arkansas opened the match with a win in doubles. The duos of Claudine Paulson and Segou Jonker (8-3) and Yang Pang and Brittany Huxley (8-1) each cruised to victories to clinch the doubles point. Kimberley - Ann Surin and Ana Lorena Belmar Hernandez also had a large lead in their match at 7-2, which went unfinished when the point was clinched.

In singles Arkansas earned four victories to close out the Cougars. Sarah McLean earned the first victory in sinles, defeating Elizaveta Luzina easily for a 6-0, 6-2 win. Belmar Hernandez, Paulson, and Pang each followed with two set victories to seal the match. Belmar Hernandez defeated Koning 6-0, 7-5, Paulson knocked off Kankara 7-5, 7-6, and Pang earned a 6-4, 6-3 victory.

The win is the 125th victory of Hegarty's Arkansas career. He passes Kevin Platt in total wins, improving his career record to 125-100. Hegarty took over the squad in 2004 and turned around a program that was on a SEC-record losing streak. In returning the team to national prominence, Hegarty won two SEC West titles, made the only NCAA Quarterfinal in program history, and was named SEC Coach of the Year in 2008. 

"I would be remiss on this occasion if I did not thank Bev Lewis who gave me this opportunity ten years ago and also Jeff Long and his entire staff that make it possible for us to compete at an elite level," Hegarty said. "There is no better athletic department in America and it is a privilege to represent the Razorbacks."

The Razorbacks are back in action next Sunday at 12:00 p.m. when they hit the road to face Yale.

No. 38 Arkansas 5, No. 32 Washington State 2
Complete Singles Results
1. Yang Pang (ARK) def. Liudmila Vasileva (WSU) 6-4, 6-3
2. Claudine Paulson (ARK) def. Andjela Kankaras (WSU) 7-5, 7-6
3. Ksenia Goode (WSU) def. Kimberley - Ann Surin (ARK) 7-5, 7-5
4. Sarah McLean (ARK) def. Elizaveta Luzina (WSU) 6-0, 6-2
5. Olga Musilovich (WSU) def. Brittany Huxley (ARK) 6-1, 6-1
6. Ana Lorena Belmar Hernandez (ARK) def. Charlotte Koning (WSU) 6-0, 7-5

Complete Doubles Results
1. Claudine Paulson/Segou Jonker (ARK) def. Andjela Kankaras/Ksenia Goode (WSU) 8-3
2. Kimberley - Ann Surin /Ana Lorena Belmar Hernandez (ARK) led Liudmila Vasileva/ Elizaveta Luzina (WSU) 7-2, unfinished
3. Yang Pang/Brittany Huxley (ARK) def. Charlotte Koning/ Olga Musilovich (WSU) 8-1