Jan. 25, 2015
UCF Athletics Social Media Directory
By Joey Nelson
UCFKnights.com
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ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - Battling back and forth Sunday afternoon at the UCF Tennis Complex, the Knights prevailed 4-3 over Troy behind junior Caroline Eberhart's third-set tiebreaker. With the score against the Trojans knotted up 3-3, Eberhart delivered a come from behind victory to claim the Knights' deciding point.
"I was down 5-6 in the third set and everyone was cheering so loud that I knew it was close. I asked Steph what the score was and she said 3-3, so I knew at that second it was all up to me," Eberhart explained. "I just focused really hard and fought so hard. I got it back to the tiebreaker and it was just awesome from there."
Eberhart's performance began early, teaming with doubles partner Kennan Johnson to rout Margot De Haan and Julia Albuquerque in a 6-0 shutout. UCF would drop the doubles point, however, losing a close match 7-5 at the No. 3 position.
Head Coach Stephanie Nickitas has harped on not just the importance of being physically fit to her unit but also mentally tough. The Black and Gold followed through on their coach's message, bouncing back in singles play to erase the early deficit.
Junior Clare Mendell dropped her first set 0-6 but would rally back 6-4, 7-5 to finish off De Haan at No. 5. Monica Matias followed Mendell's performance with a 6-4, 6-2 win at No. 6, while Johnson secured a 6-4, 6-4 outing versus Anja Cosovic at No. 3.
Each team chalked up three wins a piece and looked to the No. 1 bout between Eberhart and Trang Huynh as the deciding factor. Eberhart won the first set 6-4 but would fall short 2-6 in the second. Huynh kept Eberhart at bay in the third, holding on to a 5-6 lead. But with the rallying cries of her teammates and Knight fans, the Indiana native pushed through nerves to seal up the tiebreak 7-6 (2).
"Honestly, I was so nervous. Right when I heard it was 3-3...well, my hands are still shaking. When my whole team came on to the court next to me, it was electric," Eberhart said. "Every single point I won, I could hear them cheering and that's what made me win. Just having them right by my side."
With a 2-0 start in hand, the Knights will hit the road Feb. 7-8 to face conference foes Cincinnati and Memphis in Tennessee. The unit will return for back-to-back home matches on Feb. 11 and Feb. 13 to face Bethune-Cookman and UConn, respectively.
Tennis Match Results
UCF vs. Troy
Jan. 25, 2015 at Orlando, Fla.
UCF 4, Troy 3
Singles competition
1. Caroline Eberhart (UCF) def. Trang Huynh (Troy), 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (2)
2. Sanae Ohta (Troy) def. Cortney Cesarini (UCF), 6-2, 6-4
3. Kennan Johnson (UCF) def. Anja Cosovic (Troy), 6-4, 6-4
4. Linnea Skymberg (Troy) def. Sofia Baptista (UCF), 3-6, 6-4, 6-4
5. Clare Mendell (UCF) def. Margot De Haan (Troy), 0-6, 6-4, 7-5
6. Monica Matias (UCF) def. Julia Albuquerque (Troy), 6-4, 6-2
Doubles competition
1. Anja Cosovic / Trang Huynh (Troy) def. Sofia Baptista / Cortney Cesarini (UCF), 6-1
2. Caroline Eberhart / Kennan Johnson (UCF) def. Margot De Haan / Julia Albuquerque (Troy), 6-0
3. Sanae Ohta / Brooke Durden (Troy) def. Annika Hepp / Monica Matias (UCF), 7-5
Match Notes
UCF: 2-0
Troy: 0-2