April 16, 2007
Orlando, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - In its last regular-season match of the 2007 season, the UCF women's tennis team fell just short of defeating Louisville, falling 4-3 to the Cardinals at the UCF Tennis Complex on Monday afternoon. The Knights (10-7) recorded victories at the top three singles spots, but the Cardinals won at the bottom three positions after opening the match by taking the singles point.
Louisville (10-12) is ranked 71st nationally. In doubles action, the Cardinals won at the No. 1 and No. 3 spots. Playing against Natalia Baez and Bianca Gorbea at No. 2, UCF junior Kyla McNicol and sophomore Kenza Belbacha won their 11th-straight contest with an 8-5 victory.
Junior Anna Yakimchenkova took a 7-6 (6), 6-4 decision over Gorbea at the No. 3 singles position. At No. 2, Belbacha rallied for a 0-6, 7-5, 6-1 victory against Natalie Laszkowski. UCF was victorious at the No. 1 spot as sophomore Elvira Serrot came back to defeat Lauren Imre (3-6, 6-1, 6-2).
Louisville's Robyn White topped senior Megan Hunter, 2-6, 6-3, 6-1, at No. 4. Jo-Ann Van Aerde beat the Knights' senior Becky Gordon at No. 5, 7-6 (5), 6-3. Baez registered a 6-4, 6-2 win over junior Jennifer Carati at No. 6.
UCF now travels to Tulsa, Okla., for this year's Conference USA Championship. The Knights will learn their seeding Tuesday, as matches begin Thursday at 11 a.m. ET. The title match is set for Sunday at 11 a.m. with the winner earning an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament.
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