Arkansas moves into Top 15 nationally; Miseviciute back on top

FAYETTEVILLE – After making it to the semifinals of the Southeastern Conference Tournament, the University of Arkansas Lady Razorback tennis team moved back into the top 15 in Tuesday’s Intercollegiate Tennis Association rankings.

With the top 15 ranking after a superb 15-9 overall season in which the Lady’Backs finished third in the SEC with a 7-4 mark, they are now facing a strong possibility of being a host for the first two rounds of the 2008 NCAA Women’s Tennis Tournament.

“This ranking gives us a lot of hope that we can host the opening rounds of the tournament,” said Arkansas head coach and SEC Coach of the Year, Michael Hegarty. “Going on the road is always tough and we have experienced that personally, so hosting would be a great advantage.”

Aurelija Miseviciute, a junior from Klaipeda, Lithuania, moved back to the top spot in singles after dropping to No. 2 last week. Miseviciute defeated No. 15 Megan Falcon, 6-4, 6-1, and No. 35 Yvette Hyndman, 7-6(2), 6-3, at the SEC Tournament over the weekend. Miseviciute has already earned some prestigious postseason awards such as SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year and All-SEC First Team, unanimously.

Junior Ela Kaluder came in at No. 71 in the singles rankings this week, after being a unanimous selection to the All-SEC First Team for the second consecutive season.

Miseviciute and Kaluder jumped nine spots in the doubles ranking to No. 21, their highest ranking of the 2008 season. The dangerous duo clinched the doubles-point in the semifinal match against Georgia, 8-2, over No. 55 Kelley and Y. Hyndman.

The Lady’Backs will know their position in the NCAA Tournament on Tuesday, Apr. 29, but right now are preparing for whatever opponent the tournament brings.

“We will take an easy week, then a hard week, then a medium week in preparation for the NCAA Tournament,” Hegarty said.

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