FORT MYERS, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - UCF women's tennis had a successful opening day at the Florida Gulf Coast Fall Invitational, winning all five single matches against Stetson and dropping just one-of-four double competitions against the Hatters and FGCU.
The tournament's format was altered to dual matchups instead of draws with teams unable to participate due to Hurricane Matthew.
Monica Matias, Cortney Cesarini and Emilia Granstrom each earned straight sets victories over their opponents, while Natalia Serrano and Claudia May battled back to win their respective matches in three sets after dropping the first.
Cesarini came back in a pair of double matches to earn two more wins. Her first was with Granstrom, defeating a duo from FGCU. The senior's second victory was a win over a pair of Stetson players.
Matias and Serrano split their two double competitions, first losing to FGCU's Julia Ascua and Julianna Curtis. The Knights' duo came back to defeat a pairing from Stetson.
UCF returns to action tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. at the FGCU Fall Invitational.
SINLGES
Monica Matias (UCF) def. Arijana Korac (Stetson) – 6-2, 6-4
Natalia Serrano (UCF) def. Lucie Renault (Stetson) – 2-6, 6-4, 10-7
Cortney Cesarini (UCF) def. Maja Salibasic (Stetson) – 6-0, 6-1
Emilia Granstrom (UCF) def. Sofia Ferding (Stetson) – 6-2, 6-3
Claudia May (UCF) def. Brittany Hill (Stetson) – 4-6, 6-3, 10-8
DOUBLES
Julia Ascua/Julianna Curtis (FGCU) def. Monica Matias/Natalia Serrano (UCF) – 6-4
Cortney Cesarini/Emilia Granstrom (UCF) def. Breana Stampfli/Bridget Forster (FGCU) – 6-3
Monica Matias/Natalia Serrano (UCF) def. Arijana Korac/Maja Salibasic (Stetson) – 6-4
Cortney Cesarini/Claudia May (UCF) def. Sofia Ferding/Lucie Renault (Stetson) – 7-5
