Miami Invited to USTA/ITA National Team Indoor Championships

Dec. 12, 2006

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami men’s tennis team has been selected to participate in the 2007 USTA/ITA National Team Indoor Championships held Feb. 16-19 at the Midtown Tennis Club in Chicago, Ill.

The USTA/ITA National Indoor Championships is considered collegiate tennis’ premier indoor tournament and is one of only two national team championships held annually. The NCAA Tennis Championships held in May is the only additional team championship.

“This is a great statement for our program,” said head coach Mario Rincon. “Being selected to play in such a premier team tournament and having the opportunity to compete with some of the nation’s top programs is extremely exciting.”

Along with the Hurricanes, the 16-team field will include 2006 defending NCAA Champion Pepperdine, 2006 USTA/ITA National Indoor Champion Georgia, Baylor, Duke, Illinois, Mississippi, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Pennsylvania, UCLA, Stanford, Virginia and two teams still to be determined.

ITA Southeast Regional Rankings ReleasedMiami was one of only two schools to have at least three players listed among the top-16 of the ITA Southeast regional rankings recently released.

Highlighting the Miami contingent was senior All-American Luigi D’Agord, who garnered the No. 6 spot on the 30-person singles list.

Sophomore All-American Daniel Vallverdu, who posted an overall record of 9-2 over the fall, is ranked No. 12 while senior Josh Cohen is ranked No. 16.

In doubles, D’Agord and Vallverdu are ranked No. 4 in the southeast region.