ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - The UCF women's tennis team fell 4-3 in a tough battle with Furman on Thursday afternoon at the USTA National Campus.
"I know Furman's coaching staff really well, and I know they do a really good job," head coach Bryan Koniecko said. "We knew it was going to be another war for us today. I'm proud of the way we competed at the end of singles, it was a very good effort, but we just couldn't get back the bit we lost. I thought we started a little bit slow in doubles, we talked about it before singles and the girls did a good job to respond in singles. We will learn from this as we prepare for South Alabama."
The Paladins took a 1-0 lead in the match with wins at No. 1 and No. 3 doubles, and built a 3-0 lead with wins at No. 4 and No. 6 singles.
UCF (10-3) delayed Furman's victory as the Knights won three consecutive matches. On court three, junior Emilia Granstrom defeated Danni Vines, 7-5, 6-4. Natalia Serrano followed suit with a 6-0, 1-6, 7-6 (3) victory against Katty Weymouth on the second court. Junior Elizabeth Bagerbaseh tied the team score at 3-3 with a 7-6 (8-6), 6-2 win on court five.
It came down to the last match, court one, where junior Monica Matias had won her first set 7-6 (6-0), but dropped her second, 6-3, to Ansley Speaks. The girls battled going toe-for-toe throughout the beginning of the third. Matias and Speaks were tied up 4-4, when Speaks broke serve to take a 5-4 lead. Speaks held the momentum and clinched the match for the Paladins.
UCF hosts South Alabama on Friday at 12:30 p.m., at the USTA National Campus.
Results (Order of Finish)
Doubles (3,1)
1). Aryn Greene/ Ansley Speaks (FUR) d. Cortney Cesarini/ Monica Matias (UCF), 6-3
2). Emilia Granstrom/ Natalia Serrano (UCF) vs. Katty Weymouth/ Danni Vines (FUR), 5-5 unfinished
3). Blair Martin/ Katarina Kozarov (FUR) d. Nicole Jimenez/ Elizabeth Bagerbaseh (UCF), 6-2
Singles (6,4,3,2,5,1)
1). Ansley Speaks (FUR) d. Monica Matias (UCF), 7-6 (7-0), 3-6, 4-6
2). Natalia Serrano (UCF) d. Katty Weymouth (FUR) 6-0, 1-6, 7-6 (7-3)
3). Emilia Granstrom (UCF) d. Danni Vines (FUR), 7-5, 6-4
4). Karlee Bryde (FUR) d. Cortney Cesarini (UCF), 6-4, 6-1
5). Elizabeth Bagerbaseh (UCF) d. Hannah Ferrett (FUR), 7-6 (8-6), 6-2
6). Blair Martin (FUR) d. Nicole Jimenez (UCF), 6-0, 6-1