The Miami Hurricanes women’s tennis team jumped one spot to No. 15 in the latest Intercollegiate Tennis rankings (ITA) released on Tuesday. Miami (16-4, 10-2 ACC) used a 2-0 weekend, posting huge road wins against ACC rivals No. 15 Clemson and No. 45 Florida State, to make its latest leap in the rankings.
Stephanie Wagner, who was named the ACC’s Player of the Week on Tuesday, made the biggest jump among Hurricane singles players in the poll to No. 36. Ranked 48th in the poll last week, Wagner picked up a pair of impressive wins against Florida State’s Daneika Borthwick and Clemson’s 46th-ranked Yana Koroleva.
Wagner (seen above at L next to KYCane) has been reliable at the Hurricanes’ top singles spot this spring, posting a 17-4 overall record and 11-2 record at the No. 1 spot. The Amberg, Germany native hasn’t missed a beat in ACC contests, recording a 10-2 record against conference foes.
In addition to Wagner, sophomore Kelsey Laurente appeared in the ITA singles poll for the seventh consecutive week at No. 54. Laurente has bounced around the one and two singles spot for Miami and is 12-6 this spring with three wins against ranked opponents.
Two Hurricane doubles teams are currently ranked: Monique Albuquerque and Clementina Riobueno checking in at No. 21 and Melissa Bolivar and Laurente at No. 40.
Albuquerque and Riobueno have been nearly unbeatable as the top doubles team, posting a 16-2 overall record and an 8-1 ACC mark. Laurente and Bolivar have posted a 10-3 overall mark and are 5-2 in ACC play.
Then yesterday, on Friday afternoon, the 15th-ranked Hurricanes swept ACC rival No. 60 Virginia Tech 7-0 at home.
“Today we came out and played good doubles,” assistant coach Laura Vallverdu said. "It’s nice to see two doubles playing better. After doubles, I thought all of the girls came out strong, took care of both sets and looked good physically out there while also getting mentally prepared for Sunday.”
After an afternoon shower delayed the start of doubles, Miami (17-4, 11-2) took the point against the Hokies in just 45 minutes of action.
The Hurricanes returned to the doubles lineup they have relied on for most of the spring, with No. 21 Monique Albuquerque and Clementina Riobueno at the top spot, No. 40 Melissa Bolivar and Kelsey Laurente at two and Stephanie Wagner and Lina Lileikite at the third spot.
Miami jetted out to leads in all three of the matches, but two and three doubles were the first to reach eight wins to earn Miami the doubles point. At two doubles, Bolivar and Laurente opened up with six straight wins before Raluca Mita and Carol Kahoun got on the board. The Miami duo closed out the match with two straight wins.
At three doubles, Wagner and Liliekite jumped out on top of Rebecca Harris and Laura Ramthun, never looking back. Wagner and Lileikite improved their record to 7-2 on the year en route to the 8-0 win.
Riobueno and Albuquerque started out the match with a 3-1 lead before winning the next three straight. The Hurricanes led 7-2 when the match was stopped after Miami took the doubles point.
In singles, the Hurricanes raced out to huge leads at the five and six spots. At the sixth spot, Bolivar made easy work of Rebecca Harris, beating her in straight sets 6-1, 6-0. On the season, Bolivar improved to 16-6 and 10-3 in ACC play.
Minutes player, Albuquerque was the next to add a point on the board for Miami. In dominant fashion, Albuquerque discarded Laura Ramthun 6-0, 6-3. Albuquerque’s win was her 15th in a row and 13th straight in ACC play. Albuquerque increased her win total on the spring to a team-high 20 wins.
36th-ranked Wagner dominated her opening set against Kelly Williford 6-0 and was well on her way to a second set win when the match entered its second rain delay of the afternoon. After clearing the courts and a brief stop in action, Wagner finished off her second set 6-3 to signal Miami’s fourth point of the afternoon.
Playing at three singles, No. 62 Laurente returned to winning ways with a 6-3, 6-1 victory against Sansitha Nandakumar. Laurente opened up the match with a 4-1 lead before closing out the first set 6-3. In the second set, Laurente rolled to a 6-1 win. Laurente’s victory improves her record to 13-6 overall and 7-5 in ACC play.
“I was happy to see Kelsey go out there and be more business-like,” Vallverdu said. “She had an agenda and she did what she had to do. She was able to implement what we’ve been talking about and we’re hoping to have all of our players ready to go on Sunday.”
Abreu on 2nd to start the bottom of 9th (2 base error) - Collins with a triple (should have been an out) - 2-2 with Feiger up- sac fly - CANES WIN 3-2
Posted by: Aerocane | April 19, 2014 at 09:37 PM
Canes Win 3-2. 14th straight win. Ballin Boyz!
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | April 19, 2014 at 09:40 PM
Canes win 14th in a row with sac fly walk off!!
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | April 19, 2014 at 09:43 PM
Posted by: SOUP | April 19, 2014 at 10:10 PM
Dos!
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | April 19, 2014 at 10:13 PM
Tracy Howard
Posted by: Surfercane | April 19, 2014 at 10:15 PM
Thanks Soup our Lady Canes Tennis Team is playing extremely well. Proud of them. I am also proud of our Baseball team as well. Canes Sports is really doing well.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | April 19, 2014 at 10:17 PM
Canes sports is trending up big time.
Congrats to all our athletes!
Posted by: Go Canes | April 19, 2014 at 10:54 PM
Don't know if anyone saw this:
Matt Porter @mattyports 3h
Recruiting: 2015 #Canes targets Shawn Burgess-Becker and Calvin Ridley commit to Alabama. https://twitter.com/_SBB2/status/457650983238000640 … https://twitter.com/ridley_calvin/status/457656512144363520 …
Posted by: Go Canes | April 19, 2014 at 11:01 PM
My first love in High School was a Miami Killian HS women's tennis player. She had a twin sister (Valerie and Vanessa) who was also on the tennis team.
All I'm gonna say is: "Those were the days!"
Posted by: SOUP | April 19, 2014 at 11:06 PM
My first love in High School was a Miami Killian HS women's tennis player. She had a twin sister (Valerie and Vanessa) who was also on the tennis team.
All I'm gonna say is: "Those were the days!"
Posted by: SOUP | April 19, 2014 at 11:06 PM
Nice.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | April 19, 2014 at 11:15 PM
This year after ever TD we get the Duke Salute to honor our troops. Courtesy of your boy
Posted by: Hassan | April 20, 2014 at 02:52 AM
Also B Hop is an Alien
Posted by: Hassan | April 20, 2014 at 02:57 AM
T-ta-ta-Sully, and KY-Cane reppin the space!
DEM CANES!!!
Posted by: NativeCane | April 20, 2014 at 01:46 PM
Damn, Bama must have one HELLUVA! AYCE buffet.
Posted by: CaneRock | April 20, 2014 at 02:45 PM
Sully is the magnet for sure!
Posted by: KYcane | April 20, 2014 at 02:49 PM
But watching Bama's Spring game yesterday, they better hope Coker can "get er' done", because they're not going anywhere with that QB play that I saw yesterday...SHEEZ!
Posted by: CaneRock | April 20, 2014 at 02:54 PM
From the UM Sports Website
http://hurricanesports.com/fls/28700/wtennis/leavingalegacy/
Posted by: KYcane | April 20, 2014 at 02:56 PM
Go to WQAM and listen Matt Shodell discuss the CANES and how horrible they will be this season. He said 8-4 which is not terrible but it looks like according to him we have no pass rush, again, and not ONE good QB. Unless Kaaya steps onto the field this Summer and looks like the second coming to Dorsey we are losing at least 4 to 5 games this year. No ACC title appearance. Sorry CANES Nation....Go and listen to the interview for yourself....Truth hurts... Meanwhile Bama and FSU continue to get better and better.
Posted by: elliott | April 20, 2014 at 03:00 PM
Anybody watching the World Cup this Summer? I love soccer and I got Brazil winning it all....
Back to the PS4.....
Posted by: elliott | April 20, 2014 at 03:01 PM
Elliott...I think the pass rush has improved as far as the DEs & LBs go...it's up the middle that's a question mark right now. But I agree with the QB part though...if we don't get that situated ASAP, then yeah, I can see us losing 4 games.
Posted by: CaneRock | April 20, 2014 at 03:10 PM
We won games by the skin of our teeth last year that we should have won easily. We were blown out and lost games we shouldn't have last year. I can easily see us taking a step back next year. Al Golden has been an underachiever thus far and I wouldn't be surprised if we don't get over the hump. However, at every position but QB I think we are better than last year. At QB last year we weren't all that, so if we can just get a game manager, we could be better also. Bottom line is that the team is talented enough to win the Coastal, but Al and his staff haven't shown they can coach their way to it. We'll see what 2014 brings. The question becomes if we don't win the Coastal and only win 8 games, how long can the Golden camp get 1 more year? Around here some want to give him the lifetime contract, lol. I will give Golden credit where its due, the team is more talented than it was under Shannon. He's developed some good players from 3, 4 and 5 stars, that's what you have to do. I think he gets the big picture: Fans, students, program, boosters, alumni, etc. His biggest problem is that his D sucks and he's got No'D blinders on. I hope this is the last year this thing plays out because Golden has the ingredients to be a good coach. While this year may or may not be a make or break for Golden at 8 or 9 wins, IT SURE AS F*CK BETTER BE FOR NO'D!!!
Posted by: Dude on a Pale Horse | April 20, 2014 at 03:33 PM
As of right now, I'd say we're still years away from a National Championship, unless Kaaya is Peyton Manning and is just so far above the coaching level. Al will need multiple years of top 5 recruiting classes to beat top teams because he can't out-coach anyone, he'll have to out-talent. Eventhough he's gotten the team better, we still do what we've done since Coker and have played down to our competition.
P.S. what the hell is up with typepad lately?
Posted by: Dude on a Pale Horse | April 20, 2014 at 03:43 PM
Nice to see the ladies tennis team continuing their upward trend!
The high school tennis season in FL just finished. (Which is why I haven't been hanging on the "Space" much lately.)
My Lemon Bay High Manta Ray Girls tennis team just won their fifth straight District & Regional titles, and fifth straight trip to the Elite-8 FL State Tennis Finals in Orlando. We caught a tough draw and ended up 6th in the State in Class 2A, (out of 125 schools.) Not bad for a little public school on the SW FL coast.
Tennis is a great lifetime sport, and I have loved working with and coaching my student athletes over the years. Whether we have great success, (like recent years), or not so much, as is also the case. The teams and student athletes I work with are always "class acts" that play hard, and play fair. And whether they go on to play tennis in college, or never play competitive tennis again after high school, they'll always have a game they can play their entire lives, and memories from our seasons that they will carry with them forever. I am truly blessed.
I'm losing 3 of my top 4 girls to graduation this year, so the championship "run" might be coming to a close for awhile, (although 2 of my top 5 are Freshmen), so we'll see… (heh, heh.)
Happy Easter CaneSpacers, and keep up the good work Lady Canes tennis team!
Posted by: roachcane77 | April 20, 2014 at 04:54 PM
My first love in High School was a Miami Killian HS women's tennis player. She had a twin sister (Valerie and Vanessa) who was also on the tennis team.
All I'm gonna say is: "Those were the days!"
DOUBLES ANYONE?
Posted by: canezilla | April 20, 2014 at 05:03 PM
### UM didn't use tight end Asante Cleveland much in the passing game last season (three receptions), but he impressed the Dolphins with his receiving skills, as well as his intelligence in the film room, during a visit last Friday. In the coming months, Miami likely will add at least two tight ends who can challenge Michael Egnew for a roster spot.
### According to one UM football official, Tyriq McCord ended spring ahead of Al-Quadin Muhammad, and Anthony Chickillo ahead of Ufomba Kamalu, in the hotly-contested battle for two starting end jobs. Kamalu, McCord and Muhammad all will play on third down passing situations, with ballyhooed summer arrival Chad Thomas likely joining them in those situations…. UM has big plans for speedy running back Trayone Gray in the next couple years, provided he qualifies academically.
Posted by: CaneRock | April 20, 2014 at 05:15 PM
Rock, guess who gonna get ALL the credit if Asante gets drafted & balls out?
Posted by: 4-Real | April 20, 2014 at 05:37 PM
As stated in previous posts, UM's roster strength on paper was the weakest that it has been since the mid-90s. The imbalance of players leaving versus arriving means that Miami will be stronger in 2014. And again, because the 2011 class was so weak, Miami will become much stronger when the 2015 class replaces it. The thing that does concern me is if some get their wish and Golden departs. That will destroy the 2015 recruiting class and essentially maintain the status quo.
Posted by: TonyCane | April 20, 2014 at 05:37 PM
Tony, if Penn st can do it.....
Posted by: 4-Real | April 20, 2014 at 05:54 PM
Happy Easter Spacers…..just got in from spending the entire day going up and down the St. Johns River…….damn it was chilly.
Posted by: raizecane | April 20, 2014 at 07:15 PM
The Us transition to a basketball school continues apace.
Dont say i didnt tell u guys.
Best t u from Coach Larranaga.
Posted by: Standard Shriver | April 20, 2014 at 07:18 PM
FOR TERRANCE'S EYES ONLY:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJAv1eZe_bc&feature=youtu.be
Posted by: 86Cane | April 20, 2014 at 07:19 PM
Goddamnnn what in the hell did Saban feed these dudes during the spring game everybody and there cottdamnnn mother committed.
Posted by: UpNorthCane27 | April 20, 2014 at 08:23 PM
Listening to Clapton right now...
By far to me one of the greatest ever!!!
Posted by: elliott | April 20, 2014 at 08:28 PM
Cronkrite commits to UM!!!!
BIG TIME COMMIT!!
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | April 20, 2014 at 08:45 PM
UpNorth,
The only thing I know was that lunch was served in a brown paper bag and it had a lot of greens in it.
Posted by: Dude on a Pale Horse | April 20, 2014 at 08:46 PM
LEGOOOO!!!!
WE GETTING CRONKED UP IN HEA!!
Posted by: UpNorthCane27 | April 20, 2014 at 08:46 PM
Perhaps they got unlimited meals!
Posted by: TonyCane | April 20, 2014 at 08:46 PM
Good 1 UpNorth!
Posted by: 4-Real | April 20, 2014 at 08:54 PM
Peter Ariz @PeterAriz 4m
What is priority #1 for Cronkrite @JC_Knows? Says he will be working hard on getting his close friends Tim Irvin and JaQuan Johnson to UM
Posted by: 86Cane | April 20, 2014 at 09:04 PM
EVERYBODY GET CRONKED!!!
Posted by: 86Cane | April 20, 2014 at 09:04 PM
Brad Kaaya @TrinidadBrad 24m
“@JC_Knows: I am officially committed to THE U! pic.twitter.com/rKiQ97qhs6” Now let's get this ring bro.
Posted by: 86Cane | April 20, 2014 at 09:06 PM
Love Twitter...one guy commits, 10,000 people on Twitter HAVE to announce it as like they are FIRST? LOL
Posted by: 86Cane | April 20, 2014 at 09:06 PM
EVERYBODY GET CRONKED!!!
Posted by: 86Cane | April 20, 2014 at 09:04 PM
Cute!
Posted by: nemo2002 | April 20, 2014 at 09:19 PM
Long as Kaaya pans out, it doesn't matter who Saban, or anybody else gets.
Posted by: CaneRock | April 20, 2014 at 09:27 PM
Causey committed to FAU.
Posted by: CaneRock | April 20, 2014 at 09:53 PM
It's called see and share. If no one shared it, how would we find out quickly?
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | April 20, 2014 at 09:58 PM
Pete Ariz:
Miami nabbed a huge commitment on Sunday night when Westminster Christian RB Jordan Cronkrite (5-11, 195) called Al Golden and informed him that he wanted the world to know he would be staying close to home and playing his college ball at the University of Miami.
“It’s a big weight off of my shoulders. There is a lot of pressure off of me now,” Cronkrite said. The versatile athlete said that he knew Miami would be his choice, “ever since I’ve started playing football.”
One of the separating factors for Cronkrite besides Miami being a childhood favorite of his was the coaching staff at The U.
“I just had a better feel with all of the coaches there and have a good relationship with them. They are a great group of guys.”
Earlier in the process, there was some speculation on whether or not Cronkrite would receive what seemed to be one of his dream offers. Miami offered on January 24th and coaches did a good job of making sure all confusion was in the past.
“It wasn’t smooth at first, but they let me know they really wanted me here and they kept showing me a lot of love.”
After missing out on other top flight running backs over the last couple of classes, Miami has put themselves in good position with commitments from Dexter Williams and now Cronkrite. The possibility of Duke Johnson declaring for the draft after this season made these commitments all the more important.
“It’s going to be a great opportunity for me. A lot of my friends are staying here for school and my family always wanted me to stay close to home so it’s the best of both worlds,” Cronkrite explained. “I just know it’s not going to be given to me so I have to go in and work hard.”
The Miami native will now turn into one of the Canes’ biggest assets on the recruiting trail. Cronkrite has known many of Miami’s current top targets since the optimist level.
“I’ll be working on guys like Tim (Irvin) and JaQuan (Johnson) to come with me. I’ll try my hardest to get the words in their ears, but it will ultimately be up to them.”
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | April 20, 2014 at 10:06 PM
If Cronkrite and Dexter Williams stick, this is a huge RB haul and we don't need any more.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | April 20, 2014 at 10:14 PM
It's called see and share. If no one shared it, how would we find out quickly?
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | April 20, 2014 at 09:58 PM
It's called see and share. If no one shared it, how would we find out quickly?
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | April 20, 2014 at 09:58 PM
It's called see and share. If no one shared it, how would we find out quickly?
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | April 20, 2014 at 09:58 PM
It's called see and share. If no one shared it, how would we find out quickly?
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | April 20, 2014 at 09:58 PM
It's called see and share. If no one shared it, how would we find out quickly?
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | April 20, 2014 at 09:58 PM
It's called see and share. If no one shared it, how would we find out quickly?
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | April 20, 2014 at 09:58 PM
It's called see and share. If no one shared it, how would we find out quickly?
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | April 20, 2014 at 09:58 PM
That is how it reads on Twitter. IJS
Posted by: 86Cane | April 20, 2014 at 10:30 PM
Susan Miller Degnan @smillerdegnan 25m
#UM's winning streak is snapped by Notre Dame at 14 games. The Irish beat the Canes 7-4 in baseball.
Susan Miller Degnan @smillerdegnan 25m
#UM's winning streak is snapped by Notre Dame at 14 games. The Irish beat the Canes 7-4 in baseball.
Susan Miller Degnan @smillerdegnan 25m
#UM's winning streak is snapped by Notre Dame at 14 games. The Irish beat the Canes 7-4 in baseball.
Susan Miller Degnan @smillerdegnan 25m
#UM's winning streak is snapped by Notre Dame at 14 games. The Irish beat the Canes 7-4 in baseball.
Susan Miller Degnan @smillerdegnan 25m
#UM's winning streak is snapped by Notre Dame at 14 games. The Irish beat the Canes 7-4 in baseball.
Susan Miller Degnan @smillerdegnan 25m
#UM's winning streak is snapped by Notre Dame at 14 games. The Irish beat the Canes 7-4 in baseball.
Susan Miller Degnan @smillerdegnan 25m
#UM's winning streak is snapped by Notre Dame at 14 games. The Irish beat the Canes 7-4 in baseball.
Susan Miller Degnan @smillerdegnan 25m
#UM's winning streak is snapped by Notre Dame at 14 games. The Irish beat the Canes 7-4 in baseball.
Posted by: 86Cane | April 20, 2014 at 10:33 PM
We got Cronkrite? Yes! That kid is a 5 star freak talent! Love this! Love this! Love this!
Posted by: Dude on a Pale Horse | April 20, 2014 at 10:33 PM
Any other comments?
Posted by: 86Cane | April 20, 2014 at 10:34 PM