ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) – Facing its second-consecutive opponent ranked 12th in the nation, the UCF women’s tennis team suffered a 7-0 defeat to No. 12 Tennessee at the UCF Tennis Complex Friday. In the contest, sophomore Jenny Frisell (Gothenberg, Sweden) and senior Elvira Serrot (Madrid, Spain) secured their first victory as a ranked doubles team this year. The Knights dropped to 8-6 on the season, while the Lady Vols improved to 10-2.

In the doubles competition, Tennessee took the first two matches to claim the doubles point. But Frisell and Serrot, playing in their first match as the No. 27 ranked doubles team, would not allow the Knights to go down without a fight. When Natalie Pluskota and Jennifer Meredith from Tennessee tied the match at seven, sending it to a tiebreaker, the UCF duo turned their play up a notch claiming the tiebreaker and an 8-7 (4) victory.

“They are doing a great job and it is amazing what a little confidence can do for you,” said UCF head coach Stephanie Nickitas. “They are really starting to believe that they can go out there and dictate from the beginning. They are really proving to themselves that they are a top doubles team.”

After claiming the doubles point, the Lady Vols used straight sets in all but one match to lock up the overall win. Frisell attempted to ruin the shutout bid by Tennessee when she secured the second set 6-2 at No. 1. However, Pluskota defeated Frisell in the third set to claim the win, 6-2, 2-6, 2-0.

The Knights conclude their four-match homestand on Saturday against North Texas at 10 a.m. Admission to all matches at the UCF Tennis Complex is free.

For the latest news on the Knights, log on to www.UCFAthletics.com – the official site for UCF varsity sports. The site, which also contains ticket and Golden Knights Club donor information, is also the home of UCF’s new online apparel store. Also visit www.UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.

Tennis Match Results

Tennessee vs UCF

3/20/2009 at Orlando, Fla.

#12 Tennessee 7, UCF 0

 Singles competition

1. Natalie Pluskota (TENN) def. Jenny Frisell (UCF) 6-2, 2-6, 6-0

2. Samantha Orlin (TENN) def. Andrea Yacaman (UCF) 6-4, 6-2

3. Rosalia Alda (TENN) def. Elvira Serrot (UCF) 6-3, 6-1

4. Jennifer Meredith (TENN) def. Alexis Rodriguez (UCF) 6-1, 6-0

5. Zsofia Zubor (TENN) def. Christy Core (UCF) 6-1, 6-4

6. Maria Sorbello (TENN) def. Katie Orletsky (UCF) 6-2, 6-1

 Doubles competition

1. #27 Jenny Frisell/Elvira Serrot (UCF) def. Natalie Pluskota/Jennifer Meredith (TENN) 8-7 (7-4)

2. Maria Sorbello/Samantha Orlin (TENN) def. Alexis Rodriguez/Andrea Yacaman (UCF) 8-2

3. Rosalia Alda/Zsofia Zubor (TENN) def. Christy Core/Katie Orletsky (UCF) 8-4

Match Notes:

Tennessee 10-2

UCF 8-6

Order of finish: Doubles (2,3,1); Singles (4,3,6,5,1,2)

T-2:35