Feb. 10, 2005
ORLANDO - The UCF women's tennis team is looking for its first win of the 2005 season when it visits No. 42 ranked Florida State in Tallahassee on Friday. The match is scheduled for noon at the Scott Speicher Tennis Center.
The Golden Knights have faced no fewer than three ranked opponents already this season, posting a 0-3 overall record after losses to No. 2 Florida, No. 63 Florida International and No. 70 Auburn. FSU, meanwhile, has played only one match thus far dropping a 5-2 decision to Baylor in its home opener. Inclement weather forced the `Noles to postpone contests against Georgia Southern and Jacksonville until later in the season.
UCF has not beaten FSU in any of the previous four meetings between the two teams. In 2004, the Knights lost 6-1 in Tallahassee as their only point came from current sophomore Megan Rosario-Hunter's 6-3, 7-5 victory over Alina Mihailescu, who is now a junior.
In the fall, Hunter and freshman Anna Yakimchenkova met Florida State senior Natalie Tirapelli in the Flight A singles competition at the Lady Seminole Classic. Both Knights took losses with Yakimchenkova's coming in the finals.
Still, the Golden Knights remain both realistic and optimistic about Friday's contest. "Our goal is to keep it close," said sixth-year head coach Patricia Allision. "We want it to be a good match."