Fall Fact Sheet #4

Coming off a well respected showing at the Riviera/ITA All-American Championshipson October 3-7, the Arkansas Lady Razorback tennis teamwill now head to Tulsa for the second time this fall, and compete in the Wilson/ITA Central Region Championships.

The Lady Razorback tennis team combined for an impressive 17-9 recordin pre-qualifying, qualifying, main draw, and consolation while at the ITA-All American Championships. In singles the team was 11-5 while in doubles they finished 6-4.

Not only were five Lady’Backs competing in Los Angeles from October 3-7, but three were also in action elsewhere in the country. Senior Audrey Bordeleau, sophomore Melissa Hoffmeister, and freshman Delia Demaschin all competed at the Northwestern Wildcat Invitational in Chicago. After finishing with a record of 1-4 of Day One, the Lady’Backs bounced back going 5-1 and 3-1, on Day’s Two and Three, respectively, finished overall at 9-6.

Coming into the All-American Championships, Arkansas junior Aurelija Miseviciute was placed into the pre-qualifier meaning she had to win six straight matches to qualify for the tournament: consider it mission accomplished. Miseviciute won eight straight matches before being defeated in the main draw quarterfinals.

Here’s what Lady Razorback head tennis coach Michael Hegarty had to say about the upcoming ITA Central Region Championships:

"Our team feels very confident going into this tournament, mainly because of our recent success at the Region Championships. We’ve had girls in the finals the past two years, and we’re bringing back a lot of experience from the into this tournament."

As the Lady’Backs gear up for the ITA Central Region Championships, which begin Wednesday, team members should be confidence due to past success. Last season, senior Maryori Franco was the runner-up in singles, while she and junior Nanar Airapetian teamed up for second place in doubles. Two years ago, as a freshman, junior Ela Kaluder claimed the singles title. The same year, freshman teammate Aurelija Miseviciute, now a junior, claimed the doubles title as well.

More on Miseviciute

Entering the All-American Championships Aurelija Miseviciute was ranked No. 119 according to the FILA collegiate tennis rankings. However, Miseviciute proved she may be a lot better than many think. During her eight match win streak, Miseviciute was able to defeat four ranked opponents ranging from 15th to 84th ranked. Her only loss to a ranked opponent all fall came to No. 3 ranked Susie Babos at the Championships; Babos went on to win the tournament.

Qualifying for the Central Region Championships will begin on Wednesday, while the main draw will take place starting on Thursday. Both the qualifying and main draw will consist of 64 players, and players in the qualifier must win two matches to qualify. Players from Arkansas looking to qualify are seniors Maryori Franco and Audrey Bordeleau, sophomore Melissa Hoffmeister, and freshman Delia Demaschin. Lady’Backs who are already set to play in the main draw Thursday are juniors Aurelija Miseviciute, Ela Kaluder, and Nanar Airapetian.

The upcoming tournament for Lady Razorbacks will consists of teams from the Sun Belt, Big XII, Big Sky, Mountain West, USA and SEC conferences among others. Notable teams competing along with Arkansas are BYU, Wichita State, Boise State, Tulsa, Denver, UALR, Arkansas State, and Oklahoma State.

Here is what Arkansas assistant coach Jeroen Joling had to say about the team’s performance at the Wildcat Invitational:

"I was very pleased with the way the team bounced back and got some good wins on day two and three. Winning matches on the final day proves how much pride and energy our girls truly have."