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

 

Hurricanes shine academically; especially impressive that football & baseball are in top 10 percent of nation in Academic Progress Rate

Before I head out for vacation I wanted to get this report in from the NCAA, regarding the Hurricanes' academic standing among five of its sports programs.

The NCAA reported today that UM football, baseball, women's cross country, women's golf and men's diving teams were among the most successful academically in the nation.

I, for one, am very impressed the Canes' football program has finished in the top 10 percent nationally for three consecutive years.

This is a geat accomplishment in and of itself, obviously, and the Hurricanes should be very proud. However, it also should help in the long run on the field. Moms and dads, who usually have a major influence in where their children play, can only be impressed by this report. And you know that UM will tout it all over the place, as it should. As a parent, you want your child -- even the ones who are almost singularly focused on football -- to have a good education and some type of assurance that the college they attend cares about more than just football.

I think this is a positive selling point for Coach Al Golden, who will run with it.

Now, if he can keep getting highly ranked recruits who strive for excellence academically, UM football will benefit.

Here's the release from UM.

Everyone have a safe, happy and healthy summer!!

SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN

 

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Five University of Miami teams were publically honored for being among the top 10 percent in Academic Progress Rates (APR), as announced by the NCAA earlier today.

Football, baseball, women’s cross country, women’s golf and men’s diving were recognized with APR Public Recognition Awards. It marks the third straight year that Miami football has been recognized for finishing among the top 10 percent. Baseball and women’s golf were both honored for the second consecutive season.

"The collective effort of the student-athletes on the baseball, football, women’s cross country, women’s golf and men’s diving teams have raised the bar at the University of Miami," said Director of Athletics Shawn Eichorst. "We join our coaches and academic support staff in celebrating the academic achievement of these Miami Hurricanes, which has established a new high of five APR Public Recognition Awards. This success starts with dedication and perseverance by our student-athletes, who are able to balance the many pressures of college and still achieve academic success at a higher rate than the majority of their peers.” 

Miami History - APR Public Recognition Awards

2006 (4 Teams)	Women's Golf, Men's Track & Field (Outdoor), Men's Diving, Men's Cross Country
2007 (2 Teams)	Men's Cross Country, Men's Diving
2008 (2 Teams)	Men's Cross Country, Men's Track & Field (Outdoor)
2009 (4 Teams)	Men's Cross Country, Men's Diving, Men's Track & Field (Indoor & Outdoor)
2010 (1 Team)	Football
2011 (4 Teams)	Baseball, Football, Men's Tennis, Women's Golf
2012 (5 Teams)	Baseball, Football, Men's Diving, Women's Cross Country & Women's Golf

Each year the NCAA honors select Division I sports teams by publicly recognizing their latest multiyear NCAA Division I APR.  This announcement is part of the overall Division I academic reform effort and is intended to highlight teams that demonstrate a commitment to academic progress and retention of student-athletes by achieving the top APRs within their respective sports.  Specifically, these teams posted multiyear APRs in the top 10 percent of all squads in each sport.  This year's release will again include recognition in the sport of football by subdivision (i.e., Football Bowl Subdivision and Football Championship Subdivision). 

"It is with great appreciation that we accept this honor from the NCAA and we applaud not only our illustrious student-athletes, but the faculty, academic advisors and coaching staff for fostering an environment that cultivates personal, academic and athletic excellence," said David Wyman, Associate AD for Academic Services.