Univ. of Miami (Florida) Team Page
TAMPA - She wanted to come to Miami so she could keep improving her game. If Stephanie Wagner plays like she did Saturday at USF's Varsity and P.E. courts, she will do just fine as a Hurricane.
The freshman from Germany moved into the USTA/ITA Southeast Regional quarterfinals Saturday with a convincing 6-1, 6-3 victory over USF's Loreto Alonso Martinez.
"Stephanie had a great day and was able to show part of her immense talent," assistant women's tennis coach Alex Santos said. "For a freshman to be able to handle adverse situations like she had today playing an experienced player, in front of a crowd, tells a lot about her capacity to compete at the highest level.
"She has the desire, the drive, the toughness and that's all Miami tennis represents."
One of Miami's most veteran leaders, junior Melissa Bolivar battled her way through a three-set match against Florida's 32nd-ranked Sophie Oyen, but fell 6-3, 0-6, 6-2.
"Bolivar is definitely going in the right direction and playing every day at a higher level," Santos said. "She came up a little short today, but with her current intensity, she will be just fine."
With a pair of victories (6-1, 6-0 and 6-1, 4-6, 10-6), junior Brittany Dubins advanced all the way to the back draw semifinal.
"Dubins played some of her best tennis and it was an important victory for her confidence," Santos added. "The future for our program is definitely exciting."
Junior transfer Nicolle Stracar fell in her singles match, 6-2, 6-4, to Georgia State's L. Timmerman.
The Canes' lone remaining double team of Stracar and Dubins fell in the second round to the Georgia State duo of Tere-Apoisah and Grgan, 8-1.
Check HurricaneSports.com throughout the weekend for match recaps and brackets.