Eye on the U

UM women's tennis finishes Sweet 16 round at close to 1 a.m. EST -- but beats Northwestern to advance to NCAA quarterfinals

They did it again.

For the fifth consecutive season, the University of Miami women's tennis team has advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament.

The sixth-ranked Hurricanes, playing at the tournament site in Urbana, Ill., beat Northwestern 4-3. They didn't complete play until close to 1 a.m. Eastern time Saturday (match began Friday night).

The Canes get to rest on Saturday, before meeting No. 3 Texas A&M at 5 p.m. EST on Sunday.

If UM beats Texas A&M in the Elite Eight round, it would play in the national semifinals on Monday. If UM, in turn, won that match, it would advance to the national title round on Tuesday.

The Hurricanes finished as the national runner-up in 2006, but have never won a national title. 

 On Friday, it was  junior Melissa Bolivar who clinched the victory at the No. 6 spot by winning her final two games. She beat Nida Hamilton 7-6 (6), 1-6, 6-4.

 Also winning for UM were Stephanie Wagner at the No. 1 spot and Kelsey Laurente at the No. 2 spot, as well as the crucial doubles victories by Albuquerque/Riobueno and Wagner/Brittany Dubins.

 "I didn't feel comfortable throughout the match,'' Bolivar said after the match, as reported by UM sports information. "I just fought through it. You have to win, even though you're not playing your best. That's a quality we have.''

SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN

 

New UM Canes depth chart released day before Fort Myers scrimmage

UM Coach Al Golden released his newest depth chart Thursday, a day before the Friday-night scrimmage in Fort Myers. Some of the changes you already know about. For example: Jermaine Johnson at left guard on the offensive line, and understandably, with Allen Hurns still recuperating from shoulder injury and Rashawn Scott having an outstanding first scrimmage, Scott is at first team wide receiver -- opposite Phillip Dorsett (Kendal Thompkins is behind Dorsett).

One notable change: A.J. Highsmith is now first-team strong safety, ahead of Vaughn Telemaque and Andrew Swasey. Highsmith has really paid his dues on this team, and has definitely been a team player. Happy for him, although you have to wonder about Vaughn. He's a senior with lots of experience, and was expected to take charge and lead the way.

On defense, Shayon Green is ahead of Anthony Chickillo at end, but only because Chickillo injured his back. Chickillo, as I tweeted a couple days ago, is a beast. I said if he were any tougher, he'd be made of steel. The guy is a winner. Was told he could be out for the spring, or at least for most of it, and now he'll be competing in the scrimmage tomorrow. Just hope he's healed enough to take the contact. UM needs a healthy Chickillo in the fall.

Usual outside linebacker Kelvin Cain is opposite Green at defensive end. Barry Jackson was at today's availability with Golden. He said Golden said that if UM strictly ran a 3-4 defense, Cain would be the outside linebacker. This way he can shift from one to the other, if need be. Golden said Cain is up to 230 pounds, and will get bigger.

Sophomore Denzel Perryman is now a first-team middle linebacker,with Jimmy Gaines and Tyrone Cornileus on either side. "Perryman is our most explosive tackler,'' Golden said today.

FB Maurice Hagens (groin) will miss tomorrow's scrimmage.

See you guys tomorrow night at the scrimmage!

Newest Depth Chart released March 29th, 2012:

OFFENSE

QB

First team: Ryan Williams

Second team: Gray Crow

Third team: Preston Dewey

RB

First team: Mike James

Second team: Eduardo Clements

Third team: Dallas Crawford

FB

First team: C. Holton

Second team: Mike James

WR

First team: Rashawn Scott

Second team: Allen Hurns

WR

First team: Phillip Dorsett

Second team: Kendal Thompkins

TE

First team: Asante Cleveland

Second team: Clive Walford

LT

First team: Malcolm Bunche

Second team: Ereck Flowers

LG

First team: Jermaine Johnson

Second team: Jeremy Lewis

C

First team: Shane McDermott

Second team: Jared Wheeler

RG

First team: Brandon Linder

Second team: Ben Jones

RT

First team: Seantrel Henderson

Second team: Taylor Gadbois

DEFENSE

DE

First team: Shayon Green

Second team: Anthony Chickillo

DT

First team: Darius Smith

Second team: Jalen Grimble

DT

First team: Curtis Porter

Second team: Luther Robinson

Third team: Olsen Pierre

DE

First team: Kelvin Cain

Second team: Dwayne Hoilett

OLB

First team: Jimmy Gaines

Second team: Eddie Johnson

MLB

First team: Denzel Perryman

Second team: Raphael Kirby

OLB

First team: Tyrone Cornileus

Second team: Gionni Paul

CB

First team: Ladarius Gunter

Second team: Larry Hope

FS

First team: Ray-Ray Armstrong

Second team: Kacy Rodgers

SS

First team: A.J. Highsmith

Second team: Vaughn Telemaque

Third team: Andrew Swasey

CB

First team: Brandon McGee

Second team: Thomas Finnie

SPECIAL TEAMS

K

First team: Jake Wieclaw

Second team: Matt Goudis

P

First team: Dalton Botts

Second team: Jake Wieclaw

KR

First team: Phillip Dorsett

Second team: Dallas Crawford

PR

First team: Phillip Dorsett

Second team: Dallas Crawford

H

First team: Dalton Botts

Second team: Ricardo Williams

 

SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN