No. 17 Lady Razorbacks previal over Demon Deacons in NCAA First Round 4-0

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Junior Ela Kaluder turned to her teammates with a smile and a fist pump after defeating Christian Tara and clinching a first round win in the NCAA Tournament, 4-0, for the 17th-ranked University of Arkansas Lady Razorbacks over No. 46 Wake Forest on Friday at the Cone-Kenfield Tennis Center.

Kaluder’s, 6-3, 6-2, victory was her 14th in dual action pushing Arkansas into the second-round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2001. The Lady’Backs will face No. 14 North Carolina Saturday at 4 p.m. ET with a chance to punch their ticket to the Sweet 16 next week in Tulsa, Okla.

“It’s great to advance which is the key this time of the year,” said Arkansas head coach Michael Hegarty.

The Lady’Backs clinched the doubles point for the third-straight match to earn early momentum in the shutout.

Audrey Bordeleau and Anouk Tigu dominated Katarina Reveche and Aileen Davis, 8-1, before Maryori Franco and Nanar Airapetian earned the 1-0 lead, 8-2, over Tara and Emilee Malvehy.

“Doubles was great for us today and really sparked us in earning the victory,” Hegarty said. “We’ll need every bit and more tomorrow against a tough North Carolina team.”

Bordeleau, a senior from Quebec City, Canada, made quick work of Davis, 6-1, 6-1, extending the Arkansas lead to 2-0. Next, Tigu finished off Poske, 6-1, 6-2, in an inspiring win to set up the clinching match.

For live stats during tomorrow’s match visit LADYBACKS.COM.

#17 Arkansas-4

#46 Wake Forest- 0

Singles

1. #1 Aurelija Miseviciute (UA) led. #67 Sasha Kulikova (WF), 7-6(2), 2-1.

2. #73 Ela Kaluder (UA) def. Christian Tara (WF), 6-3, 6-2.

3. Anouk Tigu (UA) def. Sierra Poske (WF), 6-1, 6-2.

4. Emilee Malvehy (WF) led. Maryori Franco (UA), 6-2, 5-4.

5. Nanar Airapetian (UA) led. Katarina Reveche (WF), 6-3, 3-2.

6. Audrey Bordeleau (UA) def. Aileen Davis (WF), 6-1, 6-1.

Match Notes: (Order of Finish: 6,3,2*)

Doubles

1. #29 Aurelija Miseviciute/Ela Kaluder (UA) led. Sasha Kulikova/Sierra Poske (WF), 6-2.

2. Maryori Franco/Nanar Airapetian (UA) def. Christian Tara/Emilee Malvehy (WF), 8-2.

3. Audrey Bordeleau/Anouk Tigu (UA) def. Katarina Reveche/Aileen Davis (WF), 8-1.

Match Notes: (Order of Finish: 3,2*)