April 6, 2016
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - After the Knights recognized three seniors -- Sofia Baptista, Caroline Eberhart and Clare Mendell - prior to their final home match, Mendell posted a straight-set victory at No. 6 to secure the match for UCF, 4-0, against Stetson at the UCF Tennis Complex.
Related: Results
"I am so happy for Clare that she could play the last match at home and earn the win to clinch the match," head coach Stephanie Nickitas said. "It was great to see her competing out on the courts today.
"Our three seniors have been a large chunk of this team for many years. It is always emotional to have players move through the program. They will definitely be missed, but we are looking forward to the rest of the season."
The Knights (12-6) also saw junior Cortney Cesarini post a two-set win at No. 4 and freshman Natalia Serrano record consecutive 6-0 victories in singles action vs. Stetson (8-9).
UCF won all three doubles matches and captured its seventh-consecutive point to open a contest. Sophomore Monica Matias / Cesarni blanked their opponent at No. 3, 6-0, before 6-1 victories were tallied by sophomore Emilia Granstrom / Eberhart at No. 2 and Baptista / Serrano at No. 1.
"We are playing really confidently in doubles," Nickitas added, "The girls are taking some more risks and listening to the strategies that we have been giving them in practice. They are starting to see results from implementing those strategies, which has increased their confidence."
The Knights close out the regular season on April 15 with a 2 p.m. match at North Florida. The American Championship is set for April 20-24 in Memphis, Tenn.
Stetson vs UCF
Apr 06, 2016 at Orlando, Fla.
(UCF Tennis Complex)
UCF 4, Stetson 0
Singles competition
1. Caroline Eberhart (UCF) vs. Eveline Lepinay (STET) 5-3, unfinished
2. Sofia Baptista (UCF) vs. Maja Salibasic (STET) 6-1, 4-1, unfinished
3. Emilia Granstrom (UCF) vs. Alexandra Lyubimova (STET) 6-2, 3-0, unfinished
4. Cortney Cesarini (UCF) def. Alexe Viaud (STET) 6-1, 6-1
5. Natalia Serrano (UCF) def. Brittany Hill (STET) 6-0, 6-0
6. Clare Mendell (UCF) def. Anja Erwin (STET) 6-0, 6-2
Doubles competition
1. Sofia Baptista / Natalia Serrano (UCF) def. Eveline Lepinay/Maja Salibasic (STET) 6-1
2. Caroline Eberhart / Emilia Granstrom (UCF) def. Alexandra Lyubimova/Alexe Viaud (STET) 6-1
3. Cortney Cesarini / Monica Matias (UCF) def. Brittany Hill/Anja Erwin (STET) 6-0
Match Notes:
Stetson 8-9
UCF 12-6
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (4,5,6)
A-54