Sports > April 19, 2007

By Benjamin Lynch | Staff writer

After ending the season with a victory over Duke, the Lady Deacs enter the first round competition on April 19 against Maryland.

The Deacs defeated the Terps 6-1 in their previous meeting and enter the tournament on a roll, winning seven of their last 10 matches.

When questioned about the seeding, senior Ashlee Davis said, “Momentum is very high right now and other teams should definitely be concerned about playing us.”

In addition to the momentum that the Deacon squad has, they are positive about the favorable draw they have received. A win April 19 against the Terrapins puts them against the in-state rival UNC Tar Heels, a team Wake Forest defeated previously in the season 4-3.

“We’re in a position to do some damage in the tournament,” Davis said, who realizes the strength of the team and advantage of playing teams they can and have defeated. Davis also mentioned that a part of the success this season has been without sophomore Christian Tara. Tara, who’s been sick with a bacterial infection since before spring break, has a 6-3 record on the season and, if she returns healthy, could be an added boost to the already strong lineup.

Davis clinched the match for the Lady Deacs, winning 7-5, 6-4 against 75th-ranked Melissa Mang.

The ACC Championship Tournament will be played April 19-22 in Cary, N.C., at Cary Tennis Park.

On April 19, ninth-seeded N.C. State will duel with eighth-seeded Virginia, fifth-seeded Florida State takes on 12-seed Boston College, and seventh-seed Duke will play No. 10 Virginia Tech.

The Deacons will follow these matches, playing at 3 p.m. against the Lady Terps.

No. 1 Clemson will await the Wolfpack - Cavalier outcome and the No. 2 Georgia Tech is slated to take on the Duke - Va. Tech winner.

No. 4 Miami will then take on the FSU-BC victor, as No. 3 Tar Heels await either Wake Forest or Maryland.