With a 4-3 comeback victory over Ole Miss Saturday evening, the University of Miami women’s tennis team advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Team Championship for the 10th season in a row.
The 15th-ranked and 15th-seeded Hurricanes dropped the doubles point and then charged back to defeat No. 23 Ole Miss at the Neil Schiff Tennis Center in thrilling fashion.
“We like to say that pressure is a privilege and that’s a big thing that we’ve talked about this year,” Miami head coach Paige Yaroshuk-Tews said. “. . . Because you’re good and because you’re Miami, these numbers are on you and we’re kind of the targets. Ten is a big number and I’m pretty fired up. I’m excited to get it into double digits.”
Miami (18-6, 12-2 ACC) got off to a slow start in doubles play and Ole Miss (16-11, 5-8 SEC) took control to earn the point.
No. 65 Julia Jones and Natalie Suk won 8-4 over freshman Sinead Lohan and junior Stephanie Wagner and then No. 70 Mai El Kamash and Erin Stephens defeated senior Monique Albuquerque and freshman Silvia Fuentes, 8-5.
Senior Lina Lileikite and freshman Wendy Zhang held a 7-5 lead over Marija Milutinovic and Iris Verboven when play stopped.
“The job at that moment is calm them down, get them focused, get them on target, get them believing in themselves, and put it behind them,” Yaroshuk-Tews said of her meeting with the team before singles play. “It’s easy to say, it’s not always to do in this situation, but today they were able to do it.”
Her words to the team seemed to work, as the Hurricanes opened up strong in singles action and won the first set on four of the six courts.
Miami grabbed a 2-1 lead over the Rebels when the first two singles matches to finish went its way. Lohan, ranked No. 37, won the final five games of her match against No. 82 Arianne Hartono to pick up a 6-1, 6-3 victory and claim her 20th singles win of the season. Albuquerque, playing in her final home match, took down Verboven, 6-4, 6-1, to put the Hurricanes in front.
Soon after, Ole Miss leveled the match at two with a 6-3, 6-3 victory by Suk over No. 115 Lileikite. The score would not remain tied for long though, as No. 108 Zhang concluded an impressive performance against Stephens, taking the match 6-2, 6-3.
The score then came even for a third time when El Kamash posted a 6-4, 6-3 win against Fuentes to make it 3-3. The focus then shifted to the main court and the matchup 2015 All-Americans, No. 11 Wagner of Miami and No. 10 Jones of Ole Miss.
After taking the first set in dominant fashion, 6-1, Wagner trailed 5-3 in set two and Jones was serving for the set. The First Team All-ACC selection not only broke Jones’ serve, but she won each of the next three games as well to pick up a 6-1, 7-5 victory and clinch the match for the Hurricanes.
With her teammates cheering her on from the adjacent court, Wagner did not concede a point in the final game. The win was her third over a top-10 singles opponent in 2014-15 and her second career dual match win against a top-10 player.
“I just tried to stay calm and fight, that’s all,” Wagner said. “[I was thinking], ‘Don’t commit a lot of unforced errors, trust my game, just get back to five-all, and then take it.’”
"Well it was that and the fact that I knew the tremendous fans at Canespace were rooting for me and had my back. I just couldn't let those guys down."
Editorial Note: OK, OK, she didn't REALLY say that, but it is true nonetheless!
👍
Posted by: Lurker | May 12, 2015 at 04:28 PM
I actually agree with GC to a point. I want to see Blake James go for the way he's patronized Miami fans, that said, he's actually done a really great job selling the program. Consider the ticket sales for all sports, and factor in how he's been able to do it even with Al Golden at the helm, no easy task. Everyone may say that Blake has all the say with Al, but I don't believe for a second that it's true. The BoT has all the say with Al and his contract. A president's opinion in the matter probably goes a LONG way also.
Posted by: The Dude | May 12, 2015 at 04:44 PM
Posted by: Lurker | May 12, 2015 at 04:07 PM
I don't HATE anybody but Zimmerman, whether or not Donna knew Nevin's shady dealings Donna received $$$ from Nevin and gave him a building in his name sake and introduced him to other who lost money in dealing Nevin. If your going to congratulate her in steering the U out of the NCAA mess she also deserve some blame for leading us into it
Posted by: Go Canes | May 12, 2015 at 04:15 PM
All the above mentioned were hired under Donna, remember she wanted Barry Alvarez as HC. You don't agree with me that's fine lol. So Perry didn't get fired under her watch? if not then I'm wrong. As far as a dumb posts your the last person throwing dumb shots and I'll leave at that
Posted by: SinisterCane | May 12, 2015 at 04:44 PM
They ALL have a say. But the structure is set up for the AD to bear the ultimate responsibility of coaches' continued employment. It depends on the internal dynamics, and how strong the AD is internally, but it's it's his ass at the end of the day
Posted by: Lurker | May 12, 2015 at 04:47 PM
whether or not Donna knew Nevin's shady dealings Donna received $$$ from Nevin and gave him a building in his name sake and introduced him to other who lost money in dealing Nevin. If your going to congratulate her in steering the U out of the NCAA mess she also deserve some blame for leading us into it
-----------
Your "facts" are totally convoluted. A little research might help before you post stuff like this
Posted by: Lurker | May 12, 2015 at 04:49 PM
As far as him patronizing Miami fans goes, while I found in irritating, it was probably better for the program on the whole, I mean what was he supposed to do? Spout of on sports shows about how he wishes the HC was gone but the BoT wanted to give him one more year? I'm sure that would really help. Given, this is the most toxic situation in CF, and next year will only make it worse, but if Blake was told no, there really wasn't anything else he could do but stand behind Al.
Posted by: The Dude | May 12, 2015 at 04:54 PM
Blake's job at Miami is to sell the program, he does a good job at that.
Posted by: The Dude | May 12, 2015 at 04:55 PM
By the end of October I'd say the over/under on losses should be 3. I don't think 10-2 is realistic with AG at HC. Miami will be lucky to be 5-3 on November 1st with a GT showdown looming. I don't see a path to 10 wins or the Coastal. I say floor 6 wins, ceiling 9, hopefully Al is gone early enough for the next staff to recruit.
Posted by: The Dude | May 12, 2015 at 05:02 PM
His job is much more than that
Posted by: Lurker | May 12, 2015 at 05:02 PM
Got to go through FSU, Clemson, VT, Duke and GT to win the Coastal this year. Even with a great HC, this is one of Miami's tougher ACC schedules, nevermind AG's teams playing down to the UVAs and Pitts of the world. The Nebraska game won't be easy either.
Posted by: The Dude | May 12, 2015 at 05:04 PM
His job is much more than that
Posted by: Lurker | May 12, 2015 at 05:02 PM
Yeah, but you get my point.
Posted by: The Dude | May 12, 2015 at 05:06 PM
Agree 100% Dude.
Posted by: Go Canes | May 12, 2015 at 05:12 PM
Agree Dude. Tough schedule, less talent coming back (I couldn't find any Canes listed by any expert as a top prospect for the next draft), and we're still hurting at depth for LB and DB. Not seeing 10 wins even if Kaaya is all that we expect, Coley bounces back, the OL plays as well as we thought last year's OL would play, and the RB committee matches Duke's production. My mind tells me 8-4 is attainable, but 7-5 is likely.
Posted by: j.w. | May 12, 2015 at 05:28 PM
Posted by: The Dude | May 12, 2015 at 05:04 PM
A while back, I looked at our schedule, and the other ACC contenders, and 9 wins almost assuredly gets us the Coastal, even losing to FSU.
Posted by: Lurker | May 12, 2015 at 05:31 PM
"we came out of that mess much better than what it could have been."
We essentially absorbed the same penalties as a school that covered up child rape, how is that "much better than it could have been"?
Posted by: CaneRock | May 12, 2015 at 05:36 PM
Got to go through FSU, Clemson, VT, Duke and GT to win the Coastal this year. Even with a great HC, this is one of Miami's tougher ACC schedules, nevermind AG's teams playing down to the UVAs and Pitts of the world. The Nebraska game won't be easy either.
Posted by: The Dude | May 12, 2015 at 05:04 PM
I agree, but it will not qualify as a "pass" should he fall short of winning/playing for the division title IMO.
Posted by: Sarasota 'cane | May 12, 2015 at 06:01 PM
Lurker, TC, Sota,
It's basically time for Golden to exceed expectations. 9 wins can win the Coastal probably, maybe needing some help, but no less than that without SERIOUS help. The margin of error is razor thin for realistic expectations.
Posted by: The Dude | May 12, 2015 at 06:11 PM
Say Miami wins the Coastal but they backslide in at 8 wins and get destroyed by Clemson, did AG do enough?
Posted by: The Dude | May 12, 2015 at 06:21 PM
Say Miami wins the Coastal but they backslide in at 8 wins and get destroyed by Clemson, did AG do enough?
Posted by: The Dude | May 12, 2015 at 06:21 PM
---------------------------
No.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | May 12, 2015 at 06:55 PM
O_C,
Did you see my text about being in Ohio for football season?
Posted by: The Dude | May 12, 2015 at 07:03 PM
Let's go to the Cincy game.
Posted by: The Dude | May 12, 2015 at 07:04 PM
Dang tickets are over $120 a piece. The last one I went to was like 65 a piece.
Posted by: The Dude | May 12, 2015 at 07:07 PM
A heads up on the whole esophagus thing to the blog. It's looking like I'm gonna be good to go.
Posted by: The Dude | May 12, 2015 at 07:10 PM
The reason nobody's predicting 10 wins, is because of Golden...period.
Posted by: CaneRock | May 12, 2015 at 07:23 PM
Mayweather-Pacquiao #s:
Total revenue worldwide: Over $500M.
INITIAL PPV tallies: 4.4M
Domestic PPV Distribution Revenue: Over $400m
But the say the sport is dyin'...LMAO!
TMT!
Posted by: CaneRock | May 12, 2015 at 07:32 PM
The sport is dead. That was the last hurrah, and what a hurrah financially speaking.
Posted by: The Dude | May 12, 2015 at 07:44 PM
9-6 Canes leading FAU. Go Canes.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | May 12, 2015 at 08:27 PM
just cause you run the blog doesnt mean you're always right...unless you're my ex wife haha
Posted by: UMike | May 12, 2015 at 07:47 AM
Well your ex and I are in constant communication if that counts for anything?
LOL
Posted by: 86Cane | May 12, 2015 at 08:38 PM
Make that 11-6 Canes leading the Owls.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | May 12, 2015 at 08:39 PM
Interesting last player on the list:
@JamieNewberg: DL Joey Bosa, CB Vernon Hargreaves, OT Ronnie Stanley lead the Top 50 2016 NFL Draft Eligible Prospects via Scout http://t.co/t9X41lPEhU
Posted by: Go Canes | May 12, 2015 at 08:40 PM
Say Miami wins the Coastal but they backslide in at 8 wins and get destroyed by Clemson, did AG do enough?
Posted by: The Dude | May 12, 2015 at 06:21 PM
Say Miami wins the Coastal but they upgrade to 11 wins and roars past Clemson, did AG doo too much?
Posted by: 86Cane | May 12, 2015 at 08:45 PM
Make that 11-6 Canes leading the Owls.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | May 12, 2015 at 08:39 PM
#BarnTheOwls
Posted by: 86Cane | May 12, 2015 at 08:46 PM
Posted by: 86Cane | May 12, 2015 at 08:45 PM
Lol. I'd fly to Miami, taxi to campus and start building an Al Golden statue made of solid ibis.
Posted by: The Dude | May 12, 2015 at 08:54 PM
Not surprised Coley's on that list at all. Like I've said, NO reason Coley can't put up Amari Cooper type #s...kid's smooth.
Posted by: CaneRock | May 12, 2015 at 08:54 PM
14-6 Canes Beat Owls. Go Canes. Boom baby.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | May 12, 2015 at 09:35 PM
"we came out of that mess much better than what it could have been."
We essentially absorbed the same penalties as a school that covered up child rape, how is that "much better than it could have been"?
Posted by: CaneRock | May 12, 2015 at 05:36 PM
You didn't really just ask that, did you? Were you keeping with the investigation back then?
Emmett and the NCAA wanted to turn us over and ... IN THE WORST WAY!
Their screw ups and Donna's tactical counterattack kept us out of jail. Please don't rewrite history to suit an agenda or preconceived bias, if that's what you're doing. She was Patton in that war. Period. End of story.
Posted by: Lurker | May 12, 2015 at 10:19 PM
Or Machiavelli. Take your pick. Either way she kick their ass
Posted by: Lurker | May 12, 2015 at 10:20 PM
^^^ USC proves the NCAA is a biased organization. I'm not sure how the NCAA exists right now.
Posted by: The Dude | May 12, 2015 at 10:21 PM
Patton is a bad example, not really a tactician so much as he wad great at getting men to fight.
Posted by: The Dude | May 12, 2015 at 10:22 PM
He got men to fight, but he was most def a great tactician, maybe not good at overall strategy, but great at battlefield tactics. A master.
I think you might have meant not a good strategic ism. Tactics and strategy are always getting mixed up in business, even by high level people.
Posted by: Lurker | May 12, 2015 at 10:55 PM
* not a good strategician
Posted by: Lurker | May 12, 2015 at 10:55 PM
You are correct, I used the wrong term, but my point stands.
Posted by: The Dude | May 12, 2015 at 11:25 PM
Please...Jay Bilas did a better job of defending UM against the NCAA, than DS. By the time She sent out that infamous text, the tide of public opinion had already turned against the NCAA...She just rode the wave.
Posted by: CaneRock | May 12, 2015 at 11:26 PM
Well your ex and I are in constant communication if that counts for anything?
LOL
Posted by: 86Cane | May 12, 2015 at 08:38 PM
Well then now I just feel bad for you my friend lol
Posted by: UMike | May 13, 2015 at 06:21 AM
CR..be careful you might get called out on those "facts" haha
Posted by: UMike | May 13, 2015 at 06:22 AM
I'd fly to Miami, taxi to campus and start building an Al Golden statue made of solid ibis.
Posted by: The Dude | May 12, 2015 at 08:54 PM
Buy your tickets in advance, it will save U $$$.
Posted by: 86Cane | May 13, 2015 at 06:55 AM
Jay Bilas did a better job of defending UM against the NCAA, than DS. By the time She sent out that infamous text, the tide of public opinion had already turned against the NCAA...She just rode the wave.
Posted by: CaneRock | May 12, 2015 at 11:26 PM
And you and some others here do a better job of tearing down the Canes football program than ALL of the Gators and Noles fans put together. But of course that is something that I am sure U are very proud of.
Posted by: 86Cane | May 13, 2015 at 06:58 AM
And UMike..."beating a dead horse" is completely opposite of trying to feed and nurture a sickly horse back to health. But of course U could never see the difference between the two now could U?
Posted by: 86Cane | May 13, 2015 at 06:59 AM
You guys are hilarious
Posted by: laquinton | May 13, 2015 at 07:33 AM
86...you make no sense lol.. "beating a dead horse"... that phrase simply means discussing or repeating something over and over...it could be positive, negative or neutral, its STILL beating a dead horse.
How in the world are bloggers "tearing down the Canes football program"...NO... Golden and his staff and the staff before him did that...we simply see this failure and talk about it. We also talk about how good of a draft we had, how good recruiting is going etc etc..but of course you cant ever manage to notice that can you?
Geez I thought SOUP was bad lol...I use to ask for 86...am I gonna have to start asking for SOUP back? lol
Posted by: UMike | May 13, 2015 at 08:06 AM