Women's Tennis Set To Face Miami In Sweet 16
May 19, 2004 | Women's Tennis
May 19, 2004
ATHENS, Ga. - -
The Tulane women's tennis team is set to make its first-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament's Round of 16, as the Green Wave square off against No. 23 Miami at Georgia's Magill Tennis Center on Thursday at 11 a.m. CST.
The Green Wave, ranked 11th in the most recent Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) rankings, enter Thursday's contest with a 27-1 record and the tournament's No. 16 seed. The Wave's 27 victories are the most in the nation so far this season. Miami, fresh off its stunning upset of defending national champion Florida in the second round, brings a 19-3 mark into Thursday's Round of 16 match-up.
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Meet the 2004 Tulane Women's Tennis Team
2004 Tulane Women's Tennis Results
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"This is our first trip to the Round of 16, so obviously we are excited," Tulane head coach David Schumacher said. "This is what we have been working towards all season. We have played some very tough matches this season, but this is the best of the best. We have to come out focused and ready to play against a very good Miami team on Thursday."
Tulane reached the Round of 16 by virtue of wins over Richmond and No. 20 Oklahoma in the first and second rounds, respectively. The Wave have won 18 consecutive matches and are 17-1 against ranked foes. The key to Thursday's match could be the opening doubles point, given to the team who wins at least two of three doubles matches. Tulane is 22-0 when winning the doubles point and 2-1 when losing the doubles point. Miami, by comparison, is 18-0 when claming at least two doubles wins and 1-3 when failing to do so.
The Green Wave feature a quintet of ranked singles players, led by sophomore Julie Smekodub, who is listed 58th by the ITA. Sophomore Erika Valdes is ranked 62nd, while sisters Maria and Darya Ivanov are ranked 81st and 91st, respectively. Jenny Kuhn, the two-time Conference USA Player of the Year, is ranked 99th. Miami, has just one ranked singles player, but trades quantity for quality with the Hurricanes' Megan Bradley checking in at No. 4 in the ITA rankings.
The winner of Thursday's match will face either UCLA or Southern Cal in Friday's national quarterfinals.
