Tiger Women’s Tennis Defeats Siena In NCAA Regional Action

May 12, 2006

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The Clemson women’s tennis team advanced to its fourth straight regional final with a 4-0 victory over Siena in NCAA regional first-round action on Friday morning. The Tigers will face Kentucky on Saturday at 11:00 AM at the Hoke Sloan Tennis Center. With the win, Clemson improved to 17-7 on the season, while the Saints’ season concluded with a 14-7 record.

“I was very happy with our performance today,” Clemson Head Coach Nancy Harris said. “We played solid and maintained our focus, which is what we had been working on in practice so I was happy to see them apply that to today’s match.”

“This is the best of the best, and we wanted to go out and play with that in our heads so we would not let down.We wanted to leave ready to play for tomorrow’s match because either way, it will be against a terrific opponent.”

The Tigers quickly won two doubles matches to clinch the doubles point and take a 1-0 lead in the match. Maria Brito and Marie Scriba defeated Sugam Langer and Molly Scullin in the flight three contest, breaking the Saints’ serve for an 8-1 victory. At the flight two position, Clemson’s tandem of Daniela Alvarez and Alexandra Luc blanked the Siena team of Denisa Hluchova and Karina Davis, 8-0, to clinch the point for the Tigers. The flight one match-up between Clemson’s Carol Salge and Federica van Adrichem and the Saints’ Sarah Mayer and Taylor Barvoets was not finished as the Tigers won the needed two points.

In singles play, Marie Scriba scored Clemson’s second point of the morning with a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Meghan Slenkamp at the number six position, while Daniela Alvarez then clinched the victory for Clemson, winning her flight two match over Taylor Barvoets, 6-0, 6-1.

Clemson 4, Siena 0Doubles1. #19 Carol Salge/Federica van Adrichem (CU) vs. Sarah Mayer/Taylor Barvoets (SC), dnf2. Daniela Alvarez/Alexandra Luc (CU) def. Denisa Hluchova/Karina Davis (SC), 8-03. Maria Brito/Marie Scriba (CU) def. Sugam Langer/Molly Scullin (SC), 8-1 Order of Finish – 3, 2Singles1. #62 Maria Brito (CU) vs. Denisa Hluchova (SC), dnf4. Marie Scriba (CU) def. Meghan Slenkamp (SC), 6-1, 6-0Order of Finish – 6, 5, 2* – Clinched matchRecords: Clemson 17-7, Siena 14-7

NCAA Women’s Tennis Regional QuotesClemson, SC • Hoke Sloan Tennis CenterMay 12, 2006

Clemson Head Coach Nancy Harris“I was very happy with our performance today. We played solid and maintained our focus, which is what we had been working on in practice so I was happy to see them apply that to today’s match. This is the best of the best, and we wanted to go out and play with that in our heads so we would not let down. We wanted to leave ready to play for tomorrow’s match because either way, it will be against a terrific opponent.”

Clemson senior Daniela Alvarez“The team came ready to play today and ready to win. We did a good job applying what we practiced, and we are just very excited to be here. This is when we play our best.”

Siena Head Coach Tim O’Brien“This is the first time we’ve been to the NCAA Tournament. We were just very excited to win our conference. Winning our conference for the first time was a big achievement for us. To have the opportunity to come in here and play the 15th-ranked team in the nation was just a real treat. I thought our girls hit the ball real well. I was happy with how we played and it was a real thrill to come down here.”