Lady'Backs face tough opposition at UK Classic

FAYETTEVILLE—The University of Arkansas women’s tennis team steps up their competitive fall schedule by traveling to Lexington, Ky. to compete in the UK Fall Classic this weekend. The UK Fall Classic features 10 teams from eight states making up an extremely competitive field including Kentucky, Abilene Christian, Illinois, Louisville, Marshall, Middle Tennessee State, Ohio State, Purdue and William and Mary. Eight of the 10 teams competing were ranked at the end of the 2004 spring season and five of those teams were ranked in the top 50. Of the teams competing at the Classic, the Lady’Backs have spent time in dual meets with seven of them. Overall, the Lady’Backs are 9-2 against non-conference teams competing, and 3-12 overall against Kentucky. “I’m looking forward to continuing to take positive steps,” said head coach Michael Hegarty. “Practices have been going well, and at this stage of the season we are critically interested in focusing on our development.” The tournament consists of five singles flights with 16 players in each. A singles flight title can be won with four match wins and doubles flights with three match wins. Doubles flights consist of five flights as well, with 8 teams competing in every flight. “It’s a very solid event and we will be tested at each level,” added Hegarty. After finishing 35-9 in singles at their own Lady Razorback Invitational two weeks ago, the Lady Razorbacks hope to continue to improve on their winning ways. Eight out of nine Lady’Back netters are expected to compete in the tournament, however senior Whitney Morton is injured and not traveling. Three Arkansas players remain undefeated in singles play. Junior transfer Vlatka Jovanovic and freshmen Yawna Allen and Maryori Franco all finished the Lady Razorback Invitational 4-0, each winning their respective flight. Three Lady Razorback doubles teams also remain perfect in the 2004 fall campaign. Franco and junior transfer Karina Ledaja are 3-0; as are juniors Jovanovic and Melissa Cornett. Freshmen Allen and Audrey Bordeleau looked strong, also finishing 3-0 at the Invitational. Tomorrow’s action consists of two singles matches and one doubles match, with the first round of singles play beginning at 9:00 a.m. For more information, please visit www.ladybacks.com. Round one singles match times for Friday, October 1, 2004 Blue Flight 9:00 a.m. Vlatka Jovanovic (UA) vs. Lena Sherbakov (W&M) 9:00a.m. Maryori Franco (UA) vs. Momei Qu (Ill) White Flight 9:00 a.m. Yawna Allen (UA) vs. Joelle Schwenk (UK) 10:30 a.m. Iliana Pacheco (UA) vs. Brianna Knue (Ill) Red Flight 9:00 a.m. Karina Ledaja (UA) vs. Lille Nzudic (Mar) 10:00 a.m. Melissa Cornett (UA) vs. Lara Burgarello (Pur) Green Flight 11:30 a.m. Audrey Bordeleau (UA) vs. Alex Beguvmen (W&M) 11:00 a.m. Allison Linden (UA) vs. Catie McLevish (Pur) Doubles matches begin at 5:00 p.m.