Native Arkansan claims victory in Arkansas loss

FAYETTEVILLE—Native Arkansan Melissa Cornett claimed her first Southeastern Conference dual match singles win of the year, but it wasn’t enough to bring the University of Arkansas women’s tennis team to victory against the University of Alabama Friday afternoon in Tuscaloosa, 6-1. After the loss, the Lady Razorbacks skid to 10-9 (0-9) for the year, while the Crimson Tide improves to 7-11(2-7) in 2005. History shows Cornett would play well against the always-competitive Tide. After Friday’s win, Cornett is 2-1 all-time in her career against Alabama, with her only loss coming during her freshman year. Since then, two similar matches have both ended in Cornett’s favor. Last year in Fayetteville, Cornett squared off against Melissa Minor on court four. Cornett took the first set, 6-3, but lost the second sending the match to a super tiebreaker. In the tiebreaker, Cornett battled to an 11-9 win. This year in Tuscaloosa, Cornett stood across from Natalie McElveen at line five, hoping to repeat. Once again Cornett took the first set, this time in a tiebreaker, but lost the second set, 6-3, to send the match to another super tiebreaker. This year in the tiebreaker, it was all Arkansas as Cornett stormed to a 10-2 win. With the win, the Little Rock, Arkansas native improves to 8-7 in singles this spring and 16-17 for the 2004-05 season.The Lady’Backs remain in Alabama until Sunday afternoon when they face unranked Auburn at 1:00 p.m. The Tigers are coming off a 6-1 loss on Friday afternoon against LSU. The lone win for Auburn came from Ashley Cowart at line two. She defeated LSU’s Lauren Seamen, 6-3, 6-3. For more information on Arkansas tennis or any other Lady Razorback sport, please visit www.ladybacks.com. Tennis Match ResultsUniversity of Arkansas vs. AlabamaApr 08, 2005 at Tuscaloosa, AlabamaAlabama 6, University of Arkansas 1Singles competition: 1. Robin Stephenson (ALA) def. Vlatka Jovanovic (UA) 6-0, 6-02. Ashley Bentley (ALA) def. Iliana Pacheco (UA) 6-3, 6-03. Melissa Minor (ALA) def. Karina Ledaja (UA) 6-1, 6-24. Mari Muller (ALA) def. Maryori Franco (UA) 5-4, retired5. Melissa Cornett (UA) def. Natalie McElveen (ALA) 7-6, 3-6, 1-0(2) 6. Andrea Brenes (ALA) def. Audrey Bordeleau (UA) 6-1, 6-1Doubles competition: 1. Robin Stephenson/Natalie McElveen (ALA) def. Melissa Cornett/Vlatka Jovanovic (UA) 8-22. Ashley Bentley/Melissa Minor (ALA) def. Karina Ledaja/Maryori Franco (UA) 8-23. Mari Muller/Melissa Day (ALA) def. Iliana Pacheco/Audrey Bordeleau (UA) 8-5