HOUSTON, Texas (UCFAthletics.com) – At the Conference USA Championship, the UCF women’s tennis team began its journey with a 4-0 first-round victory against Tulane in Houston Thursday. The shutout is the sixth-consecutive time that the Knights opened a conference tournament with a sweep. UCF moves on to play Tulsa in the quarterfinals Friday at 3:00 p.m. ET.
UCF entered the C-USA Championship hosted by Rice as the seventh seed, and improved its record to 12-9 on the season. Meanwhile, No. 10 Tulane finished its season with a 12-12 mark.
“The match was definitely a lot tighter than the 4-0 score indicated,” said UCF head coach Stephanie Nickitas. “We were down a couple of first sets in the other matches that were still going on, but those ladies were doing a good job of battling to stay out on the court. Christy Core saved a couple of match points. She was down a set 5-3, 40-15, and was able prolong the match. She was able to compete hard, and we did not end up losing that point.”
The Knights opened the day in doubles action as they conquered the Green Wave to post an early 1-0 lead. Core (Charlotte, N.C.) and junior Katie Orletsky (Titusville, Fla.) battled against Marcela Fonseca and Jessica Lange at No. 3 taking the match 8-4. The No. 2 tandem of freshman Alexis Rodriguez (Boca Raton,Fla.) and freshman Andrea Yacaman (Catagena, Columbia) ensured the Knights took the doubles point by handing Mariam Kurdadze and Lindsay Dvorak an 8-4 loss.
“We did a great job,” said Nickitas. “We did a much better job in doubles today than we did against them last time. I was just really happy with the day. We competed really well.”
Starting singles play, Rodriguez flew out to an early 6-1 advantage in the first set before taking Caroline Gerber down 6-3 in the second set at No. 4. At No. 6 singles, Orletsky cruised past Elizabeth Hamilin, 6-2, 6-1. To close the match, Yacaman at No. 3 posted a 7-5, 6-3 triumph over Lindsay Dvorak to provide the Knights with a 4-0 win.
After clinching the overall victory, the remainder of the singles matches were suspended.
“It was definitely good to post a quick victory.” said Nickitas. “Anytime, when you have a possible four matches in a row, back-to-back in a tournament, you definitely want to get off the court quickly. The weather today was pretty overcast and not too hot, so that will help for the future matches.”
The winner between UCF and Tulsa earns the right to play in the semifinals at noon Saturday.
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Tennis Match Results
Tulane vs UCF
4/16/2009 at Houston, Texas
UCF 4, Tulane 0
Singles competition
1. Jenny Frisell (UCF) vs. Anna Bartenstein (TULANE) 3-6, 4-4, unfinished
2. Elvira Serrot (UCF) vs. Mariam Kurdadze (TULANE) 3-6, 4-2, unfinished
3. Andrea Yacaman (UCF) def. Lindsay Dvorak (TULANE) 7-5, 6-3
4. Alexis Rodriguez (UCF) def. Caroline Gerber (TULANE) 6-1, 6-3
5. Christy Core (UCF) vs. Marcela Fonseca (TULANE) 2-6, 5-6, unfinished
6. Katie Orletsky (UCF) def. Elizabeth Hamlin (TULANE) 6-2, 6-1
Doubles competition
1. Jenny Frisell/Elvira Serrot (UCF) vs. Anna Bartenstein/Elizabeth Hamlin (TULANE) 6-6, unfinished
2. Alexis Rodriguez/Andrea Yacaman (UCF) def. Mariam Kurdadze/Lindsay Dvorak (TULANE) 8-5
3. Christy Core/Katie Orletsky (UCF) def. Marcela Fonseca/Jessica Lange (TULANE) 8-4
Match Notes:
Tulane 12-12
UCF 12-9
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2); Singles (4,6,3)
