UCF Records Strong Start at Home Tournament

Sept. 26, 2014

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By Joey Nelson
UCFKnights.com

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ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - UCF opened up the fall season with one thing on their mind - closing. The Knights stepped out on to the courts hungry to follow through on their commitment to finish games strong. They did just that on Friday to begin the UCF Quad Tournament at the UCF Tennis Complex.

The Black and Gold picked up a pair of victories in doubles over North Florida led by junior Sofia Baptista and sophomore Cortney Cesarini at No. 1. The duo secured an 8-3 victory, while junior Clare Mendell and freshman Monica Matias delivered an 8-6 outing at No. 3.

The Knights carried their momentum over to singles play and made quick work of the Owls, securing five matches on the day.

Limiting their opponents to three games or less, the team stayed strong behind junior Caroline Eberhart, who defeated Stephanie Cardullo 6-2, 6-0 at the No. 1 spot. A 6-1, 6-2 triumph at No. 2 was posted by Cesarini.

Baptista looked smooth on the court with a 6-3, 6-2 romp at No. 3, while freshman Kennan Johnson used big serves at No. 5 to shut out Bianca Biglione 6-0, 6-0 in her UCF debut.

Tallying a decisive 6-2, 6-2 victory at No. 4 was Mendell, while sophomore Annika Hepp and Matais just started their matches when the rain began falling.

With inclement weather on the UCF campus throughout the afternoon, singles matches for Georgia State and North Florida began, but were halted until 9 a.m. Saturday.

UCF will make its return to the courts on Saturday with doubles play at 10 a.m. against Georgia State followed by a singles competition vs. North Florida. The team finishes its run at the UCF Quad Tournament on Sunday beginning at 9 a.m.

Tennis Match Results
UCF Quad Tournament
Sept. 26, 2014 at Orlando, Fla.

Singles - UCF vs. Florida Atlantic
1. - Caroline Eberhart (UCF) def. Stephanie Cardullo (FAU), 6-2, 6-0
2. - Cortney Cesarini (UCF) def. Lyndsey Boos (FAU), 6-1, 6-2
3. - Sofia Baptista (UCF) def. Catalina Ene (FAU), 6-3, 6-2
4. - Clare Mendell (UCF) def. Natalia Tomaszewicz (FAU), 6-2, 6-2
5. - Kennan Johnson (UCF) def. Bianca Biglione (FAU) - 6-0, 6-0
6. - Monica Matias (UCF) vs. Marisa Ruiz (FAU) - halted - resumes Saturday at 9 a.m.

Doubles - UCF vs. North Florida
1. - Sofia Baptista / Cortney Cesarini (UCF) def. Luise Intert / Rebeca Pereira (UNF), 8-3
2. - Taylor Hollander / Marina Cunningham (UNF) def. Kennan Johnson / Caroline Eberhart (UCF), 8-7 (4)
3. - Clare Mendell / Monica Matias (UCF) def. Esther Zaniga / Quetzali Vazquez (UNF), 8-6