Two in a row: Women's tennis clinches SEC West

OXFORD, Miss. – The 14th-ranked University of Arkansas Razorback women’s tennis team cruised to clinch back-to-back Southeastern Conference Western Division titles on Sunday, 5-2, over the No. 28 Ole Miss Rebels.The Razorbacks (12-6, 7-3) were led to the program’s second ever SEC West title by their three seniors on Sunday, in what was their next to last regular-season match.“The seniors really came through today and took a match that was in the balance and definitely put it out of reach,” said Arkansas head coach Michael Hegarty.Arkansas grabbed early momentum by snatching the doubles point with a clean sweep.Storms approaching the Ole Miss campus forced the teams inside after doubles, but another threat faced the Rebels (11-8, 4-6) as the Hog charge continued in singles.Fifth-ranked Aurelija Miseviciute pushed her SEC record to 9-0 for the season with a straight-set winner, 6-2, 7-5, over No. 29 Kristi Boxx. Ole Miss cut the Razorback lead to 2-1 after No. 80 Karen Nijssen upset No. 71 Anouk Tigu, 7-6(5), 6-2, but it would be the closest they would get for the match.Senior Ela Kaluder and Laura van de Stroet split the first two sets, 6-4, 3-6, before Kaluder buckled down for the three-set victory, 6-4. Ahead 3-1, senior Nanar Airapetian completed a 6-for-6 combined day for the Arkansas seniors, 6-2, 6-0, over Gabriela Rangel.“This was an extremely challenging road trip and the team responded with two of our best matches of the season,” Hegarty said.With the match clinched, freshman Kate Lukomskaya snatched her 17th singles win as a Razorback in fine fashion, 6-1, 6-1, over Mimi Renaudin. Freshman Emily Carbone dropped her match in a super tie-breaker, to provide the 5-2 final. The Hogs will host LSU on Saturday at 1 p.m. for Senior Day at the George M. Billingsley Tennis Center to conclude the 2009 regular season. Singles1.#5 Aurelija Miseviciute (Ark) def. #29 Kristi Boxx (UM), 6-2, 7-5.2.#80 Karen Nijssen (UM) def. #71 Anouk Tigu (Ark), 7-6(5), 6-2.3. Ela Kaluder (Ark) def. Laura van de Stroet (UM), 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.4. Abigail Guthrie (UM) def. Emily Carbone (Ark), 6-4, 5-7, 1-0(10-7)5. Nanar Airapetian (Ark) def. Gabriela Rangel (UM), 6-2, 6-0.6. Kate Lukomskaya (Ark) def. Mimi Renaudin (UM), 6-1, 6-1. Order of Finish: (1,2,3,5*,6,4)Doubles1.#29 Nanar Airapetian/Anouk Tigu (Ark) def. #45 Karen Nijssen/Kristi Boxx (UM), 8-5.2.#62 Aurelija Miseviciute/Ela Kaluder (Ark) def. Abigail Guthrie/Gabriela Rangel (UM), 8-2.3. Emily Carbone/Kate Lukomskaya (Ark) def. Mimi Renaudin/Laura van de Stroet (UM), 8-3.Order of Finish: (2,3*,1)