April 19, 2002

FORT WORTH, Texas - So much for the seeding process.

The UAB women's tennis team threw the seedings right out the window in second-round action at the Conference USA Women's Tennis Championship upsetting second-seeded DePaul, 4-3 at the Bayard H. Friedman Tennis Center Friday.

This marked the first time in Conference USA Women's Tennis Championship history, a second seed will not advance to the semifinals.

"This was by far the best match we've played all year, and it couldn't have come at a better time," said head coach Mert Ertunga. "Everyone gave it their all and even the girls who lost played fantastic. This is the highest upset I can remember. The girls have really come on strong during the last part of the season."

The Blazers (11-9, 6-1 C-USA) took the early 1-0 lead after posting wins at the No. 1 and No. 3 doubles slots. UAB's Monika Schmid and Femke deBoer continued their solid play taking an easy 8-1 victory over DePauls' Szilvia Kelemen and Marina Parashkevova. At the three spot, Blazer duo Nadia Dellarciprete and Yvonne Ernst combined for the 8-1 win over Megan Stewart and Rachel Dybas.

The Blazers and Blue Demons split the singles matches with three aside, but Schmid came through in the clutch winning the third-set tiebreaker for the upset. The senior from Siegsdorf, Germany fell 6-2 to Kelemen in the first set, but battled back in the second set to win 6-2. In the third set, Schmid took the tiebreaker 7-6 for the win.

"Monika played some of her best tennis and to come down to a tiebreaker and keep her composure the way she did was incredible," continued Ertunga. "When push came to shove, Monika put up her best tennis and cinched the match for us."

The Blazers also got wins from Natascha Immele and deBoer at the No. 2 and No. 4 spots, respectively. Immele went three sets with DePaul's Marina Parashkevova, falling 2-6 in the first set, but winning the next two, 6-1, 6-2. DeBoer notched a 6-3, 6-3 win over DU's Natalie Matko.

The Blazers will meet Marquete in Saturday's 9 a.m. semifinal. TCU and Tulane will play in the other semifinal match at 12 p.m.

UAB 4, DePaul 3
Singles
No. 1: Monika Schmid (UAB) d. Szilivia Kelemen, 2-6, 6-2, 7-6 (5)
No. 2: Natascha Immele (UAB) d. Marina Parashkevova, 2-6, 6-1, 6-2
No. 3: Kadi Hilpus (DPU) d. Sjouke Liem, 6-1, 6-4
No. 4: Femke deBoer (UAB) d. Natalie Matko, 6-3, 6-3
No. 5: Stephanie Matko (DPU) d. Yvonne Ernst, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
No. 6: Karen Falduto (DPU) d. Nadia Dellarciprete, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4

Doubles
No. 1: Schmid/deBoer (UAB) d. Kelemen/Parashkevova, 8-1
No. 2: Hilpus/N. Matko (DPU) vs. Immelel/Liem, DNF
No. 3: Dellarciprete/Ernst (UAB) d. Megan Stewart/Rachel Dybas, 8-1