Canes Warning
Fansided

Miami Hurricanes Freshman Makes Historic Run To NCAAW Tennis Semifinals

By Alan Rubenstein

Apr 2, 2017; Key Biscayne, FL, USA; A general view of the match between Roger Federer of Switzerland (R) and Rafael Nadal of Spain (L) in the men's singles championship of the 2017 Miami Open at Crandon Park Tennis Center. Federer won 6-3, 6-4. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2017; Key Biscayne, FL, USA; A general view of the match between Roger Federer of Switzerland (R) and Rafael Nadal of Spain (L) in the men's singles championship of the 2017 Miami Open at Crandon Park Tennis Center. Federer won 6-3, 6-4. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Miami freshman Estela Perez-Somarriba became the first freshmen tennis player in Miami Hurricanes history to reach the National Semifinals.

Perez-Somarriba was able to advance to the semifinals without playing a seeded player. Her first match against a seeded player came in the semifinals. The seeds are ranked in an unusual way. This seems common for both collegiate and high school tennis.

The top eight seeded players are ranked one through eight. Nine through 16 are seeded as a group. Perez-Somarriba lost to six seed Belinda Woodcock of Florida 6-1, 5-7, 6-3. Woodcock lost in the finals to unseeded Briane Minor of Michigan.

All of Perez-Somarriba’s wins came against players from power five conferences. Her first three were against players from SEC schools. She then defeated Minor’s teammate Kate Fahey in the quarterfinals.

Fahey and Perez-Somarriba’s second round win against Arianne Hartono of Mississippi came against players ranked in the top 30. The Miami Herald did a good profile of the freshman phenom.

Asked about Perez-Somarriba’s confidence, Miami Women’s Head coach and UM Athletic Hall of Famer Paige Yaroshuk Tews said:

"“It’s her walk…She has swagger in her walk.”"

The native of Madrid, Spain just earned NCAA All-American status. She is unsized at 5’5, but makes up for it with strength and ground strokes. Yaroshuk-Tews said”

"“She’s built like a brick-house, so strong and explosive…She hits balls so deep that’s it’s tough for opponents to play her.”"

Live Feed

Simona Halep responds to Serena Williams throwing shade
Simona Halep responds to Serena Williams throwing shade /

Lob and Smash

  • Ranking Top 10 ATP players yet to win a Major: Richard GasquetLob and Smash
  • Stefanos Tsitsipas on Novak Djokovic: 'He wants revenge'Lob and Smash
  • Tennis News: Novak Djokovic takes time off, Guadalajara Open updatesLob and Smash
  • Nadal says Djokovic played at an unmatched intensity throughout his careerLob and Smash
  • Davis Cup final 8 set as United States and Spain miss outLob and Smash

    • The Hurricanes won a signficant recruiting battle to get Perez-Somarriba to come to Coral Gables. They beat out Vanderbilt, Georgia Tech and Texas among others to get her to matriculate.

    Her head coach was enamored with her ability shortly after she arrived on campus.

    "“Behind closed doors, I’ve been saying since September that she’s a little superstar,”"

    Perez-Somarriba had a tough adjustment to college and Miami. She had learn to live with a new language, culture and the adjustment to college. Yaroshuk-Tews spoke about her star’s adjusting to her new environment.

    "“I told (assistant coach Laura Vallverdu), ‘You make sure this kid doesn’t get out of your sight because she’s special,’” Yaroshuk-Tews said. “Culturally, those two have so much in common — they became like sisters…Estela would have blossomed either way. But I give (Vallverdu) credit because she accelerated things.”"

    Vallerdu is also an immigrant to the U.S. She came to Miami from Venezuela. By the time she left Miami as an undergrad in 2010, she had set the school record for career wins.

    Perez-Sommariba finished this season 34-7. That included a 5-1 record against players ranked in the top 30.

    Her run to the semis was remarkable considering she was ranked 40th nationally at the beginning of the NCAA Tournament.

    Perez-Somarriba had a little bit of luck on her side as the tournament started. She was set to face the fourth-ranked player in the country, Astra Sharma of Vanderbilt. Sharma withdraw before the tournament began.

    In spite of facing a far less talented opponent, Perez-Somarriba was more nervous for her opening round match. She said:

    "“Now I was the favorite, and that made me even more nervous…Now I was expected to win.”"

    Next: Miami Hurricanes Still Belong Among College Football Elite

    After an unexpected run to the NCAA Tournament semifinals, it seems that Yaroshuk-Tews was right about Perez-Somarriba being special. She has a very bright collegiate career ahead of her.

    Home/Miami Hurricanes News