Avdeeva and Horvath Ranked 36th in Preseason ITA Doubles Poll

Sept. 18, 2007

LAWRENCE, Kan. —

Following a season in which they went 23-9 playing together, the University of Kansas’ doubles tandem of senior Elizaveta Avdeeva and junior Edina Horvath has been ranked 36th in the preseason FILA/ITA poll, and Avdeeva was also tabbed No. 117 in the singles rankings.

The pair, which was selected earlier this month to compete at the ITA All-American Championships, is the highest ranked duo in the Big 12, and one of just four from the conference to be tabbed in the season’s first poll.

Avdeeva and Horvath put together one of KU’s top seasons in recent history in 2006-07, leading the team in wins and finishing with a 7-4 league record, which was the Big 12’s second-best in the No. 1 position. The duo also won the championship of the ITA Central Regionals last fall, a crown they will seek to defend this October.

One of three seniors on this year’s squad, Avdeeva, ranked for the first time in her KU career, will look to build on a 15-win season a year ago, which tied her for the second-most singles victories on the team. The Obninsk, Russia native will also enter the 2008 spring season with several career milestones within reach. With five Big 12 doubles wins, Avdeeva will surpass Julia Sidorova’s record of 22 conference doubles victories, and one more win will place her in the career top five. She is also seven league singles wins away from being in Kansas’ all-time top five.

The Jayhawks will get their season underway when they travel to Philadelphia, Pa., for the Cissie Leary Tournament on Friday. The three-day event will be hosted by Penn.

For complete rankings, visit www.itatennis.com.