Lady'Backs Sweep Weekend

FAYETTEVILLE—The University of Arkansas women’s tennis team finished its weekend tripleheader with a 7-0 shutout over the Saint Louis University Billikens Sunday at the Dills Indoor Tennis Center. With the win, the Lady Razorbacks improve to 3-0 on the 2005 spring season and retain their unbeaten series with the Billikens. The weekend brought a couple of firsts in Lady’Back tennis history. Friday’s match against Oral Roberts marked the first time a Lady Razorback lineup has kept their opponent from notching a single game victory in all six singles matches. Moreover, in the Lady’Backs won a combined 217 games in all singles matches this weekend compared to a combined 35 games won by all opponents. This weekend also marked the first time the Lady’Backs have ever began a season with three shutout victories. In fact, the last time an Arkansas squad won three straight shutout matches came in the 1996-97 season in Honolulu, HI. The Lady’Back netters would not be denied on Sunday afternoon against an up-and-coming Saint Louis team. From freshman Yawna Allen’s 52 minute, 6-2, 6-0, disposal of Tina Grasso on court six to senior Iliana Pacheco’s marathon two-setter on court three, Arkansas looked focused even after the match was under their belts. Junior Melissa Cornett captured her 40th career Lady Razorback win on court five in a 6-1, 6-1 effort against Rachel McCullugh. With three shut out victories, four Lady’Backs are currently working on a four match winning streak. Seniors Pacheco and Whitney Morton and junior transfers Vlatka Jovanovic and Karina Ledaja all have not lost since the final fall tournament In doubles, Cornett and Jovanovic dominated on the second court, beating SLU’s Amanda Hellberg and Ana Renda, 8-1. “We got just about everything we needed out of this weekend,” said head coach Michael Hegarty. “We have plenty of work to do this week before we face a tough Tulsa squad on the road.” The Lady’Backs are back in action next weekend in Tulsa, OK as they face Tulsa on Friday, Feb.4th and Oklahoma State on Sunday, Feb. 6th. For more information regarding Arkansas tennis or any other Lady Razorback sport, please visit www.ladybacks.com.Tennis Match ResultsSaint Louis University vs University of ArkansasJan 30, 2005 at Fayeteville, ArkansasUniversity of Arkansas 7, Saint Louis University 0Singles competition: 1. Vlatka Jovanovic (UA) def. Katerina Lozanova (SLU) 6-4, 4-32. Maryori Franco (UA) def. Amanda Hellberg (SLU) 6-2, 6-23. Iliana Pacheco (UA) def. Ana Renda (SLU) 7-6, 6-44. Karina Ledaja (UA) def. Tara Grant (SLU) 6-1, 6-35. Melissa Cornett (UA) def. Rachel McCullagh (SLU) 6-1, 6-16. Yawna Allen (UA) def. Tina Grasso (SLU) 6-2, 6-0Doubles competition: 1. Karina Ledaja/Maryori Franco (UA) def. Katerina Lozanova/Tara Grant (SLU) 8-42. Melissa Cornett/Vlatka Jovanovic (UA) def. Amanda Hellberg/Ana Renda (SLU) 8-13. Whitney Morton/Iliana Pacheco (UA) def. Tina Grasso/Rachel McCullagh (SLU) 8-1Notes: T-3 hrs A-55 -LADY RAZORBACKS-