Lady'Backs Perfect in Singles Blank ORU

FAYETTEVILLE— It took less than two hours for the University of Arkansas women’s tennis team to win their first match of the 2005 season, 7-0, against the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles Saturday afternoon at the Dills Indoor Tennis Center. Of the three doubles and six singles matches played, the Lady Razorbacks lost only three games total in two doubles competitions. In the other seven matches played, the Lady’Backs were untouchable, blanking their Golden Eagle opponents on each court. “Its always good to start with a big victory,” said head coach Michael Hegarty. “It’s not often that you see a shutout on every court, and that indicates that we were very focused as a unit.” The perfect singles slate is indeed a rare occurrence. In fact, Saturday’s match marked the first singles shutout in Lady Razorback history. Arkansas newcomer Vlatka Jovanovic was the first Lady’Back off the singles court. She defeated ORU’s Sonia Bailey in 48 minutes at the No. 1 court. Minutes later, senior Iliana Pacheco, junior Melissa Cornett, junior Karina Ledaja and freshman Maryori Franco notched wins within seconds of each other. Senior Whitney Morton sealed the shutout for the Lady’Backs on court six with a 6-0, 6-0 pasting of Amanda Beynonn. In doubles, Franco and Ledaja rolled to an 8-0 victory over Bailey and teammate Adrianna Garcia. Jovanovic and Cornett teamed up against ORU’s Laine Sommer and Jacquelyn Robles on the No. 2 court. The Lady’Back tandem took the match, 8-1, in 26 minutes. On court three, freshman pair Yawna Allen and Audrey Bordeleau cruised to an 8-2 victory over Deborah Skinstad and Amanda Beynonn. “This weekend stretch is a chance for us to test our disipline for the season ahead,” Hegarty added. The Lady’Backs jump right back into action tomorrow for a Sunday doubleheader against Wichita State at 10:00 a.m. followed by Saint Louis at 2:00 p.m. Live online scoring is available and admission is free. For more information, please visit www.ladybacks.com.Tennis Match ResultsOral Roberts University vs. University of ArkansasJan 29, 2005 at Fayettville, ArkansasUniversity of Arkansas 7, Oral Roberts University 0Singles competition: 1. Vlatka Jovanovic (UA) def. Sonia Bailey (ORU) 6-0, 6-02. Maryori Franco (UA) def. Adrianna Garcia (ORU) 6-0, 6-03. Iliana Pacheco (UA) def. Laine Sommer (ORU) 6-0, 6-04. Karina Ledaja (UA) def. Jacquelyn Robles (ORU) 6-0, 6-05. Melissa Cornett (UA) def. Deborah Skinstad (ORU) 6-0, 6-06. Whitney Morton (UA) def. Amanda Beynonn (ORU) 6-0, 6-0Doubles competition: 1. Maryori Franco/Karina Ledaja (UA) def. Sonia Bailey/Adrianna Garcia (ORU) 8-02. Melissa Cornett/Vlatka Jovanovic (UA) def. Laine Sommer/Jacquelyn Robles (ORU) 8-13. Yawna Allen/Audrey Bordeleau (UA) def. Deborah Skinstad/Amanda Beynonn (ORU) 8-2Notes: University of Arkansas 0-0Oral Roberts University 0-2T-2 hours A-25