Feb. 28, 2012
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By Chris Jones
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - The UCF women's tennis team looks to pick up a big win in a match against Michigan State on Friday at 2 p.m. The Knights host the Spartans in the middle of an important nine-game homestand, their longest stretch in Orlando during the season.
The Knights (3-7) have faced a rigorous schedule so far in 2012, with six of their first 10 opponents ranked in the top 75 of the Campbell's ITA Rankings. Led by senior Taylor Dubins, the Black and Gold have the opportunity to notch their fourth win against a Michigan State team that was recently swept by rival Michigan, 7-0.
Dubins, paired with Andrea Yacaman in the UCF's last match against No.10 Tennessee, defeated Jesse Grace and Caitlyn Williams 7-6, 6-4 in the Knights only win in doubles play Saturday.
Michigan State (7-2) is led by sophomore Katarina Lingl, who holds an overall record of 14-8 in 2012. Lingl, a Michigan native, has an impressive 7-2 mark in dual match play for the Spartans. Michigan State is 7-1 in their last eight matches, with the one loss coming against Michigan in a match held at MSU Indoor Tennis Facility in East Lansing, Michigan. Other standout Spartans include Julianna Gruber and Marina Bohrer, who hold a combined 16-9 record in 2012.
UCF's next match will be against Duke on Friday, March 9 at 2 p.m. Admission to the UCF Tennis Complex is free.