Big week ahead for Lady'Back tennis
FAYETTEVILLE – The University of Arkansas women’s tennis team has its hands full this week as the squad participates Wednesday, Nov. 2 at the ITA National Indoor Championships in Columbus, Ohio and the Southeastern Conference Fall Coaches Classic in Atlanta, Ga., No. 3-6.
Freshmen Ela Kaluder is one of only six Southeastern Conference players slated to compete in the singles draw of the national indoor tournament. To be selected, Kaluder worked her way through two qualifiers and the main draw to claim the ITA Central Regional singles title two weeks ago in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Zagreb, Croatia native also leads the team in singles this fall with a 17-1 record.
Kaluder and fellow freshman Aurelija Miseviciute received an invite to the national tournament as a pair to represent the Lady’Backs in the 16-team doubles bracket. Kaluder and Miseviciute garnered an invitation to the national tournament after defeating Arkansas teammates sophomore Maryori Franco and senior Karina Ledaja at the ITA Central Regional Championships.
“Ela and Aurelija will see the best the country has to offer at the ITA Indoors,” Arkansas head coach Michael Hegarty said. “It’s a great test for them, and one they are excited about.”
Georgia’s Shadisha Robinson and Caroline Basu and Kentucky’s Kim Coventry and Joelle Schwenk are also representing the SEC in the doubles draw.
The other eight Lady’Backs begin competition Thursday, Nov. 3, at the Peachtree Country Club. All 11 other SEC schools are scheduled to play in the flighted tournament and should give Arkansas a look at what to expect in the 2006 spring season.
"Even without the six SEC players in the singles field at the ITA National Indoors, the SEC Fall Classic is still an incredibly strong event,” Hegarty said. “Our eight participants will have real opportunities to put a stamp on their fall seasons."
Last year at the SEC Fall Coaches Classic, Arkansas went 10-10 in singles and 2-5 in doubles in the weekend tournament. Ledaja and sophomore Audrey Bordeleau both took runner-up honors in their respective flights.
"Both events provide us with a great opportunity to build on a very successful fall campaign,” Hegarty said. “We played with an edge at the Regional Championships, which is quickly becoming a rule rather than an exception for this team."
Draws and match times for both events will be posted as soon as they become available. For the latest in news, scores and highlights, please visit LADYBACKS.COM.
— LADY RAZORBACKS —
