Feb. 26, 2016
Final Stats
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - UCF started its 14-match homestand to end the regular season with a 7-0 victory against Mercer on Friday afternoon. The Knights won each of the eight matches that were completed at the UCF Tennis Complex.
Related: Results
In doubles play, UCF (4-3) quickly took two matches against Mercer (3-6) to clinch the first point. The duo of senior Sofia Baptista and freshman Natalia Serrano delivered a 6-2 win at No. 1 before the senior Caroline Eberhart and sophomore Emilia Granstrom at No. 2 tallied a 6-3 victory.
With singles play underway, junior Cortney Cesarini blanked her opponent at No. 4 in straight sets, 6-0, 6-0. The momentum for the Knights continued at No. 5 as sophomore Monica Matias cruised to a 6-1, 6-2 win.
The match was clinched with a 6-1, 6-3 victory by Serrano at No. 6 to put UCF up 4-0. Granstrom won the first set at No. 3, 6-1, before taking a tiebreaker, 7-3, in the second to clinch her match.
After dropping a tight first set, 6-3, Eberhart battled back at No. 1 to win the second frame, 6-2, and pushed the Knights lead to 6-0 with a 10-6 win in a supertiebreaker. Another supertiebreaker was needed by Baptista at No. 2, which the Cascais, Portugal, native took 10-5 after opening her match with a 7-6 (6) victory.
The match served as an opportunity for Cortney Cesarini to up against her younger sister's team. Christie is a freshman at Mercer and played No. 2 doubles.
The Knights are right back in action on Saturday at noon against UT Arlington. The match serves as USTA Campus Kids' Day for UCF with festivities beginning following the match at approximately 3 p.m. Kids can take part in a free clinic and have the 2016 UCF women's tennis poster autographed.
Mercer vs UCF
Feb 26, 2016 at Orlando, Fla.
(UCF Tennis Complex)
UCF 7, Mercer 0
Singles competition
1. Caroline Eberhart (UCF) def. Katia Stravroulaki (MERCER) 3-6, 6-2, 1-0 (10-6)
2. Sofia Baptista (UCF) def. Xandra Fougner (MERCER) 7-6 (8-6), 5-7, 1-0 (10-5)
3. Emilia Granstrom (UCF) def. Grace Korta (MERCER) 6-1, 7-6 (7-3)
4. Cortney Cesarini (UCF) def. Katie Sidor (MERCER) 6-0, 6-0
5. Monica Matias (UCF) def. Haley Powell (MERCER) 6-1, 6-2
6. Natalia Serrano (UCF) def. Roxy Bartz (MERCER) 6-1, 6-3
Doubles competition
1. Sofia Baptista/Natalia Serrano (UCF) def. Katia Stravroulaki/Grace Korta (MERCER) 6-2
2. Emilia Granstrom/Caroline Eberhart (UCF) def. Christie Cesarini/Xandra Fougner (MERCER) 6-3
3. Katie Sidor/Roxy Bartz (MERCER) vs. Cortney Cesarini/Monica Matias (UCF) no result
Match Notes:
Mercer 3-6
UCF 4-3
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2); Singles (4,5,3,1,2)
A-85