April 18, 2011
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By Brian Ormiston
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - The bracket was released Monday for the Conference USA Women's Tennis Championship hosted by UCF at the Lake Cane Tennis Center and the Knights earned a No. 5 seed. The Black and Gold will open its postseason against No. 12 seed UAB Thursday at 2 p.m.
"We're really excited to be hosting this year. It's great to have it right here in our backyard" said head coach Stephanie Nickitas. "The last part of the season we finished on a high note, and I think we are moving in the right direction. We've had great preparation leading into the conference tournament. We are on the upswing and have a lot of confidence right now."
The No. 5 seed tied for UCF's highest since joining the conference in 2005-06.
The Knights completed the regular season last weekend with a 5-2 win at Florida Atlantic to get to 11-7 on the year, and they are currently ranked No. 75 in the country.
UCF already knocked off UAB this season in a 6-1 decision in Birmingham Feb. 13, and the Knights are 3-1 vs. C-USA programs this year (victories over UAB, East Carolina and Memphis, loss to SMU). Freshman Josephine Haraldson has been the sparkplug in singles, going 18-10 including a 12-6 mark in dual-match play.
All-time, UCF is 5-5 in the C-USA Championship and has won a first-round match in each of their first five years in C-USA.
UAB stands at 7-12 in 2011 following a close 4-3 loss to Troy April 9 to end the regular season. The Blazers have been strong at the No. 2 and No. 5 singles spots, going 13-6 in both positions this year.
If the Knights can get past the Blazers, they will face off with No. 4 seed Rice Friday at 2 p.m.
Admission to the C-USA Championship is free, and for more information check out ConferenceUSA.com.
2011 C-USA Women's Tennis ChampionshipFirst Round - ThursdayNo. 7 East Carolina vs. No. 10 Southern Miss - 10 a.m.No. 6 Memphis vs. No. 11 UTEP - 10 a.m.No. 8 Tulane vs. No. 9 Houston - 2 p.m.No. 5 UCF vs. No. 12 UAB - 2 p.m.
Quarterfinals - FridayNo. 2 SMU vs. ECU/USM - 10 a.m.No. 3 Marshall vs. MEM/UTEP - 10 a.m.No. 1 Tulsa vs. TLN/HOU - 2 p.m.No. 4 Rice vs. UCF/UAB - 2 p.m.
Semifinals - SaturdayBoth semis are at noon
Finals - SundayChampionship match at 10 a.m.