Ferris Overpowers No. 1 Miseviciute

Sunday, January 20

Salt Lake City, Utah

9:00 AM

University of Utah

Arkansas

1/20/2008 12:00 AM | Women's Tennis

Jan. 20, 2008

SALT LAKE CITY - The University of Utah women's tennis team faced No. 53 Arkansas on Sunday for a 9 a.m. battle. Although the Utes ended the day with a 6-1 loss, the team left the court with bittersweet happiness as their teammate Elizabeth Ferris upset the No. 1 ranked singles player in the country, Aurelija Miseviciute.

Ferris, a senior and native to Anaheim, Calif., started off strong at the No. 1 slot for the Utes against Miseviciute. The Ute took the first set with a strong 6-2 win. The Lady Back answered back in the second set with a 6-3 win over Ferris. The last set was played hard with emotions flying on the court. After going point for point, Ferris executed a solid serve that was unanswered by Miseviciute. The Ute took the hard earned victory at 6-2, 3-6, 7-5.

Leigh Walsh battled hard on Sunday against Delia Demaschin at the No. 4 slot. Walsh played at a steady pace, but couldn't get over the hump. The Lady Back slid by with a 7-5, 7-5 win over Walsh.

At the No. 2 slot, Evgenia Kryuchkova faced Ela Kaluder from Arkansas. The true freshman played a solid match against the junior Lady Back in straight sets; however, it was Kaluder the sealed the deal with a 6-4, 6-4 win.

"Arkansas may be ranked No. 53 in the nation now, but within the next month or so they will likely be in the top 10 or top 15," said head coach Mat Iandolo. "That being said, I am really proud of how we competed today against their team. I am proud of Liz [Ferris] and how well she competed today. It's not every day that your player beats the No. 1 ranked player in the country."

#53 Arkansas 6, Utah 1
Doubles:1. Ela Kaluder/Aurelija Miseuiciute (Ark.) def. Elizabeth Ferris/Leigh Walsh (Utah); 8-42. Nanar Airapetian/Maryori Franco (Ark.) def. Evgenia Kryuchkova/Karine Bourdages (Utah); 8-33. Audrey Bordeleau/ Anouk Tigu (Ark.) def. Erin Monson/Andrea Maughan (Utah); 8-3
Singles:1. Elizabeth Ferris (Utah) def. #1 Aurelija Miseviciute (Ark.); 6-2, 3-6, 7-52. Ela Kaluder (Ark.) def. Evgenia Kryuchkova (Utah); 6-4, 6-43. Maryori Franco (Ark.) def. Erin Monson (Utah); 6-1, 7-54. Delia Demaschin (Ark) def. Leigh Walsh (Utah); 7-5, 7-55. Nanar Airapetian (Ark.) def. Andrea Maughan (Utah); 6-4, 6-36. Audrey Bordeleau (Ark.) def. Karine Bourdages (Utah); 6-0, 3-6 (10-5)