TULSA, Okla. - University of Arkansas junior Aurelija Miseviciute defended her No. 1 overall seed at the NCAA Singles Championships in a thrilling three-set win over the University of San Francisco's Jenni Heinser, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, at the Michael D. Case Center on Wednesday. " I have to admit I was very nervous in today's first round match, " said Miseviciute. After dropping the first set, Miseviciute rocketed to a 5-0 lead in the second set before claiming it, 6-3.

Although Miseviciute dropped the first set, her experience against tough opponents this season and correcting personal mistakes helped the native of Lithuania snag the last two sets and the victory.

" Playing so many matches this year against many tough opponents definitely paid off today, " Miseviciute said Wednesday. " But, the real key to capturing this match was that I knew I was down early because of my own mistakes. Once I corrected those, I was able to take hold of the match. "

Her momentum carried over into the third set as well as she cruised ahead 4-2, then claimed the next two games to clinch the match.

The win is her 49 th of the season in singles as she continues to raise the bar for most in a season ever by a Lady Razorback or Razorback tennis student-athlete. The victory advances her into the round of 32 in the singles tournament on Thursday where she will face the winner of Baylor's Taylor Ormond and Vanderbilt's Catherine Newman with a time to be announced.

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Not only will she be competing in singles on Thursday, but doubles as well. She and teammate Ela Kaluder, ranked No. 29 nationally, will face No. 36 Julia Koulbitskaya and Kate Kosminskaya of Pennsylvania.

With so many athletes at the NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships, matches for the next day are determined late. Therefore, stay tuned to www.ladybacks.com for immediate information on the times for today's matches.