Jan. 16, 2010
By Brian Ormiston
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - On a wet afternoon in Orlando, the UCF women's tennis team had a very successful day against No. 25 Alabama and No. 33 Illinois during day one of the UCF Quad Tournament. A total of five singles matches though, were unable to finish due to a steady rainfall over the tennis complex.
The Knights collected victories at the top two doubles positions vs. Illinois, then posted wins at No. 1 and No. 3 singles against Alabama before the rain came. The unfinished matches may possibly be made up at the conclusion of Sunday's schedule, which features UCF meeting No. 15 Florida State in doubles at 12 p.m. and Illinois in singles immediate afterwards (NOTE THE UPDATED TIME).
RadioTennis.com is also slated to be on hand to broadcast the action Sunday, as well as on the final day Monday. Fans can listen to the tournament for free by signing up on its website.
Facing No. 33 Illinois in doubles to open the event, the top two UCF teams surprised the Illini, including the No. 1 tandem of senior Katie Orletsky and junior Jenny Frisell opening up a 6-1 cushion on Rachael White and Leigh Finnegan. Orletsky and Frisell would eventually hold on for the 9-7 victory, in what was Orletsky's first match of the 2009-10 season after sitting out the fall with an injury.
Sophomore Alexis Rodriguez and freshman Jenna Doerfler, meanwhile, played a tight match at the No. 2 position and were able to pull out a 9-7 win against Chelcie Abajian and Marisa Lambropoulos.
"I was really proud of our doubles play today," said head coach Stephanie Nickitas. "Everybody came out and played well but Nos. 1 and 2 did a spectacular job. They played with confidence and believed in themselves, and it really showed in their play. Getting off to a good start is always huge for us because that helps your confidence right off the bat, and that was the case for Katie in her first match today."
Slick courts did postpone the start of doubles for an hour, and the rain returned during singles action as the Black and Gold battled the Crimson Tide. Before the rain did fall though, Frisell toppled Courtney McLane at the No. 1 spot, 6-4, 6-4. Frisell served out the match in impressive fashion, using a passing shot to win the first point, adding two unreturnable serves to the mix and watched as a McLane crosscourt forehand sailed into the net on match point.
And even though sophomore Andrea Yacaman played just three singles matches in the fall, it did not reflect her game Saturday as she defeated Paulina Bigos, 6-4, 6-3.
"Jenny played amazing against a top player from Alabama. It proves that she can compete with the top players in the country," said Nickitas. "And I'm really proud of Andrea as well because she didn't have a great start, and had a tough fall with injuries. She couldn't wait to compete today, so this was a great opportunity for her and a perfect way to start off the weekend."
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Tennis Tournament ResultsUCF Quad Tournament1/16-18/2010 at Orlando, Fla.
Singles competition Jenny Frisell (UCF) def. Courtney McLane (Alabama) 6-4, 6-4 #82 Alexa Guarachi (Alabama) def. Alexis Rodriguez (UCF) 6-0, 6-1 Andrea Yacaman (UCF) def. Paulina Bigos (Alabama) 6-4, 6-3 Jenna Doerfler (UCF) tied Meritt Emery (Alabama) 6-4, 2-6, 0-0, unfinished Antonia Foehse (Alabama) leads Allison Hodges (UCF) 6-2, 1-1, unfinished Alice Tunaru (Alabama) leads Taylor Dubins (UCF) 1-0, unfinished Amy Allin (Illinois) leads Katie Orletsky (UCF) 2-0, unfinished Katie Rybakova (Florida State) def. #33 Rachael White (Illinois) 7-5, 6-3 #23 Lauren McCreless (Florida State) def. Leigh Finnegan (Illinois) 6-2, 7-5 Megan Fudge (Illinois) def. #62 Francesca Segarelli (Florida State) 7-5, 6-2 Jessica Sucupira (Florida State) leads Chelcie Abajian (Illinois) 7-6, 2-4, unfinished Federica Suess (Florida State) def. Marisa Lambropoulos (Illinois) 6-1, 6-4
Doubles competition Jenny Frisell/Katie Orletsky (UCF) def. Rachael White/Leigh Finnegan (Illinois) 9-7 Alexis Rodriguez/Jenna Doerfler (UCF) def. Chelcie Abajian/Marisa Lambropoulos (Illinois) 9-7 Megan Fudge/Breanne Smutko (Illinois) def. Allison Hodges/Christy Core (UCF) 8-3 Amy Allin/Annie McCarthy (Illinois) def. Andrea Yacaman/Taylor Dubins (UCF) 8-3 Alexa Guarachi/Courtney McLane (Alabama) def. Francesca Segarelli/Lauren McCreless (Florida State) 8-1 Katie Rybakova/Federica Suess (Florida State) def. Paulina Bigos/Antonia Foehse (Alabama) 8-4 Alice Tunaru/Kristina Minor (Illinois) def. Amy Sargeant/Jessica Sucupira (Florida State) 8-5
Tournament notes Singles play postponed due to rain. Matches may be made up at the conclusion of day two Sunday. ="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="http:>