March 23, 2007
Orlando, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - Even though it lost the doubles point for the first time since Feb. 20, the UCF women's tennis team used the top four singles positions to upset No. 53 Dartmouth, 4-3, Friday at the UCF Tennis Complex. The victory, which was the first 4-3 win of the year for the Knights, improved the Black and Gold's record to 7-6 on the season.
"I am so proud of this team," said head coach Patricia Allison. "We had two 4-3 losses recently against ranked teams, so we wanted this one and we were able to pull it off. We have been relying on winning the doubles point, but today the top of the singles order came through."
Dartmouth (8-3) grabbed the 1-0 lead by claiming victories at Nos. 1 and 3 doubles. However, junior Kyla McNicol and sophomore Kenza Belbacha won their eighth-straight match together, defeating Lindsay Winingham and Natalie O'Rourke, 8-5.
The singles lineup provided the spark UCF needed, though, and racked up victories at the top four spots to claim the 4-3 win. Sophomore Elvira Serrot needed every point in the first set against Megan Zebroski at No. 1, then cruised in the second for a 7-6(4), 6-1 triumph. Belbacha battled Mary Beth Winingham at No. 2 and was able to pull out a 6-4, 7-6(3) victory. At No. 3, junior Anna Yakimchenkova posted a straight-set win over Lindsay Winingham, 6-3, 6-4.
The match came down to No. 4, where McNicol faced off with Kerry Snow. McNicol suffered a 6-3 loss in the first, then earned a tough 7-5 win in the second. After storming out to a 5-1 lead in the third, McNicol ripped a crosscourt forehand that Snow was unable to handle, securing the overall victory for the Knights.
UCF concludes its three-match home swing Friday when it hosts Memphis at 11 a.m. For the latest news and information on the Golden Knights, tickets or apparel log on to www.ucfathletics.com - the official site for UCF athletics.