#10 Clemson Women’s Tennis Welcomes #20 South Florida Friday

March 4, 2010

CLEMSON, SC – Clemson women’s tennis, ranked 10th nationally, will take on #20 South Florida (5-3) at the Hoke Sloan Tennis Center on Friday at 2:00 pm. The Tigers (11-3, 1-1 ACC) have made an appearance in the top ten in five of the last six seasons, and reach the spot this week after wins at #24 South Carolina and #14 Georgia Tech last week.

Clemson has a 7-2 mark this season against ranked opponents, including four wins against top-20 opponents. The Tigers have a 6-0 mark at home this season as well.

In the all-time series, the Tigers have a 13-6 record against the Bulls, including a 7-2 mark at home.

Three of Clemson’s singles players are ranked for the second straight singles poll. Josipa Bek is the highest-ranked player, at #24, while Keri Wong checks in at #58 after being #65 last poll. Freshman Nelly Ciolkowski had the biggest jump, moving up to #68 from #90 last poll.

In doubles, Bek and senior Ina Hadziselimovic are ranked 14th nationally, while Hadziselimovic and Wong are 29th as a pair.

South Florida’s Irene Rehberger is the only Bull ranked in singles, checking in at 35th nationally. Rehberger and Melissa Koning are ranked #15 in doubles as well.

Clemson coach Nancy Harris earned her 400th career victory last week in the win against Georgia Tech, as the Tigers have played six straight matches away from home. The matches this week will likely be Clemson’s first home outdoor matches, as the weather appears that it will hold up with forecasted highs in the 60s on Friday and 70s on Sunday.

Following the match with South Florida, Clemson will play host to #13 Florida State on Sunday in an ACC showdown at Hoke Sloan. That match gets underway at noon.