A second trip to Elite 8 for Miseviciute

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – University of Arkansas senior Aurelija Miseviciute advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Singles Championship with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Clemson’s Josipa Bek (34-10) Friday at the George P. Mitchell Tennis Center at Texas A&M.

“Aurelija really hung tough today against an extremely tough opponent,” head Arkansas coach Michael Hegarty said. “Bek put a lot of pressure on Aurelija and she responded every time.”

Broken in the opening game of the match, Miseviciute, seeded second in the tournament, settled into a groove immediately following the break, returning the favor on Bek’s first service game, and drawing the score even at 1-1. The rest of the set belonged to the Razorback, who broke once more at 4-3 and took the first set lead, 6-3.

Earning her first break at 1-1 in the second set, Miseviciute broke again, up 3-1, before dropping her next two service games and allowing the Tiger to claw back to a 4-4 tie.

Boosting her energy level, Miseviciute made a last push on Bek’s next serve, breaking the Tiger and securing the win with a service hold at 5-4.

Next up for Miseviciute is No. 5-seed Mallory Cecil of Duke. Last week, in the NCAA Team Championship, Cecil came back to defeat Miseviciute, 6-7(2), 6-2, 6-1, in the Blue Devils’ win over the Razorbacks in the round of 16. Saturday’s match is set for 10 a.m.

“Tomorrow should be a great match,” Hegarty said. “Cecil is playing as hot as anyone in the country right now.”

For complete coverage of the NCAA Women’s Tennis Singles Championship, log on to http://www.aggieathletics.com/ncaa2009/tennis/index.html.

For complete coverage of Arkansas women’s tennis coverage, visit www.ArkansasRazorbacks.com.