Women's Tennis, No. 9 Cal Set for NCAA First Round Match
May 13, 2011 | Women's Tennis
May 13, 2011
Cal NCAA Regional Information | Live Results | Watch Live Streaming
BOSTON - The Boston University women's tennis team will open the NCAA tournament with ninth-seeded California Saturday at 3 p.m. ET at the Hellman Tennis Complex. The two teams are facing off for the first time ever in the postseason, though this match marks the Terriers' seventh trip to the state of California.
Fans can watch the action live at each of the six courts by clicking here.
BU (12-8) secured an automatic bid to the tournament by winning the America East championship for the 18th year in a row with a 4-3 win over Binghamton. The win also marked the program's 13th consecutive NCAA berth.
Named the Northeast's Top Player to Watch by the ITA for next season on Thursday, junior Stefanie Nunic will enter with a 15-3 record in the top singles spot. She and sophomore Vivien Laszloffy hold an 11-4 mark in doubles and were ranked as high as No. 68 back in March before injuries broke the duo up for several weeks.
After winning the America East championship clinching point against Binghamton, freshman Leonie-Charlotte Athanasiadis has the second-most singles wins this spring behind Nunic. She went 7-1 in the No. 4 slot and 7-2 at No. 5, while also holding a 12-5 record in No. 2 doubles with sophomore Jessi Linero.
Senior Vanessa Steiner and junior Monika Mical form the third doubles team. They earned second-team doubles all-conference honors for the third slot after finishing with a 12-4 record. They along with the rest of the BU squad will be immediately tested on Saturday.
The Golden Bears (16-6) feature five nationally-ranked players, highlighted by Pac-10 singles champion and No. 1 Jana Juricova. Rounding out the list are No. 23 Mari Andersson, No. 55 Tayler Davis, No. 84 Annie Goransson and No. 104 Anett Schutting. On the doubles side, Cal has the nation's top duo in Andersson/Juricova along with No. 23 Schutting/Goransson.
#18 USC and #42 St. Mary's College will start off the day at 12 p.m. ET.
