Feb. 2, 2006

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The 24th-ranked University of South Carolina women’s tennis team (3-0) will battle two ranked opponents this weekend in matches in College Park, Md. The Gamecocks will play No. 31 Maryland Friday, Feb. 3, at 3 p.m. and No. 35 Michigan Saturday, Feb. 4, at 11 a.m.

USC is 1-1 all-time against Maryland, including a 7-0 sweep at home last year. The Terrapins opened the 2006 season with a 5-2 home loss to then 13th-ranked Kentucky and earned their first win with a 4-3 upset over No. 29 Texas A&M.

Michigan, who is led by seniors Nina Yaftali and Debra Streifler, ranked 48th and 76th, respectively, are 1-1 this season with a 4-3 win over DePaul and a 6-1 loss on the road to then eighth-ranked Vanderbilt. The Gamecocks will look to improve to 2-1 all-time against the Wolverines, who they defeated last season, 4-3, after current senior Justine Walsh clinched the win with her 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 victory at No. 6 singles.

Having played three matches this season, the Gamecocks are 3-0 with 7-0 triumphs over the College of Charleston, Davidson and No. 60 Furman.

After this weekend’s matches, South Carolina has a two-week break until it hosts in-state rival Clemson, ranked 17th in the nation, Sunday, Feb. 19, at 1 p.m.