Tampa, Fla. (April 16, 2006) ? The No. 45 USF women's tennis team (14-4) finished out the regular season on a high note, defeated the No. 39-ranked Florida International Panthers (14-5), 4-3, Sunday afternoon at the USF Varsity Tennis Courts.
The Bulls took care of business early taking two doubles matches to earn the doubles point. No. 19 Gabriela Duch and Neyssa Etienne defeated No. 29 Paula Zabala and Nikkita Fountain, 8-5, at the top spot. Liz Cruz and Iciri Rai secured the point by taking care of Courtney Jonson and Bruna Discordia at the two spot, 8-3.
After a quick finish in doubles competition, the Panthers came roaring back taking matches at the 4, 5, and 6 singles spots.
With the match tied at 3-3, No. 64 Etienne took No. 85 Zabala to a second set tie-break. Etienne won the tie-break 7-4, clinching the match for the Bulls.
Sophomore Courtney Vernon finished up her perfect season at an impressive 17-0, defeating Shilla D'Armas, 6-4, 6-2.
“We had a great first season in the BIG EAST,” said head coach Agustin Moreno. “With the ranking system the way it is, it's hard to gage where we really are. All I know is that we still have a lot to prove in the BIG EAST Tournament.”
USF will now wait to see where they will be seeded in the upcoming BIG EAST Tournament which is being held at the USF Varsity Tennis courts on April 20-23.
“It is a great opportunity for us to be hosting the tournament,” said Moreno. “We have a great climate here in Florida and hopefully the heat will give us an advantage. It will also be nice for our fans to come and cheer us on in the tournament.”
For more information on the BIG EAST Tournament, point your web browser to www.gousfbulls.com
NCAA Women's Tennis
No. 45 USF Bulls vs. No. 39 FIU Panthers
April 16, 2006
USF Varsity Tennis Courts
Doubles
1. No. 19 Duch/Etienne (USF) def. No. 29 Fountain/Zabala (FIU) 8-5
2. Cruz, Rai (USF) def. Discordia/Jonson (FIU) 8-3
3. Obando/Vernon (USF) vs. Cutuk/D'Armas (FIU) DNF 5-4
Order of Finish ? 1, 2*
* Denotes Clinching Match
Singles
1. No. 64 Neyssa Etienne (USF) def. No. 85 Paula Zabala (FIU) 6-4, 7-6 (7)
2. No. 90 Courtney Vernon (USF) def. Shilla D'Armas (FIU) 6-4, 6-2
3. No. 89 Liz Cruz (USF) def. Nikkita Fountain (FIU) 6-0, 6-4
4. Marijana Cutuk (FIU) def. Gabriela Duch (USF) 6-3, 6-2
5. Desanka Jovanovi (FIU) def. Iciri Rai (USF) 6-2, 6-2
6. Courtney Jonson (FIU) def. Luisa Obando (USF) 7-5, 6-1
Order of Finish ? 3, 2, 5, 4, 6, 1*
* Denotes Clinching Match
