Another strong outing in Atlanta Kaluder eliminated at ITA Nationals
FAYETTEVILLE – The University of Arkansas women’s tennis team celebrated another successful day at the SEC Fall Coaches Classic on Friday in Atlanta, Ga. while freshmen sensation Ela Kaluder was eliminated in the ITA National Indoor Tournament round of 16.
Kaluder, whose run towards the national indoor championship began over two weeks ago with an ITA Regional Championship title in Salt Lake City, Utah, fell to an underrated Diana Srebovic of Florida, 6-1, 6-3. The loss gives Kaluder only her second loss of the season as she concludes her first fall as a Lady Razorback with a 18-2 record.
“Ela’s strong run through regionals to get to the final 16 at national indoors is one of many individual bright spots we have seen for our squad this fall,” said Arkansas head coach Michael Hegarty. “For a freshman to advance this far gives us great optimism for the spring season,”
At the SEC Fall Coaches Classic, the Lady’Backs made another strong showing on day two with four Arkansas players advancing to the singles quarterfinal round of their respective flights.
Leading the way on Friday for the Lady Razorbacks was senior Vlatka Jovanovic. The 53rd ranked player in the country cruised to the Flight A quarterfinal round with a 6-4, 6-1 win over Kentucky’s Laura Mauer. In Saturday’s quarterfinal match, Jovanovic is scheduled across from Florida’s Whitney Benik.
In flight B singles, senior Karina Ledaja battled back after being shutout in the first set to defeat Alabama’s Natalie McElveen, 0-6, 6-2, 6-3.
Two Lady’Backs advanced in Flight C as freshman Rachel Wilhelm won perhaps her biggest match of the fall with three-set win over Vanderbilt’s Liberty Sveke, 5-7, 6-2, 6-4. Sophomore Audrey Bordeleau will join her Arkansas teammate in the quarterfinals after an opening round 6-0, 6-1 rout of Alabama’s Andrea Brenes. Last spring in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Bordeleau lost to Brenes by nearly the same score, 6-1, 6-1.
“There was some excellent efforts in our singles play today," said Hegarty. "Rachel picked up a real quality win, while Karina came back after digging a deep hole,” Hegarty said. “Melissa wasn’t at 100% but battled very hard, and Audrey showed she has come a long way since last year.”
Singles and doubles action continues at the SEC Fall Coaches Classic through Sunday. For more information, please visit LADYBACKS.COM
Tennis Results:
ITA National Indoor Championships/SEC Fall Coaches Classic
Friday, November 4, 2005
Columbus, Ohio and Atlanta, Ga.
ITA National Indoor National Championships
Singles
Round of 16
Diana Srebovic (Florida) def. Ela Kaluder (Arkansas) 6-1, 6-3
SEC Fall Coaches Classic
First Round
Flight A
No. 53 Vlatka Jovanovic (Arkansas) def. Laura Mauer (Kentucky) 6-4, 6-1
Flight B
Karina Ledaja (Arkansas) def. Natalie McElveen (Alabama) 0-6, 6-2, 6-3
Flight C
Rachel Wilhelm (Arkansas) def. Liberty Sveke (Vanderbilt) 5-7, 6-2, 6-4
Audrey Bordeleau (Arkansas) def. Andrea Brenes (Alabama) 6-0, 6-1
Flight D
Tatiana Feit (Miss. State) def. Allison Linden (Arkansas) 6-2, 6-2
Sarah Sabin (Ole Miss) def. Lindsey Brown (Arkansas) 6-3, 6-2
— LADY RAZORBACKS —
