TAMPA, Fla. (February 10, 2007) ? In its first home match of 2007, the University of South Florida women's tennis team posted a 7-0 shutout over Stetson University Sat. afternoon.
The Bulls (1-1) only lost one set throughout the entire match as sophomore Iciri Rai fell 6-1 in her first frame against Stetson's Natalie Gorham, but then surged back to win the remaining sets 6-1 and 6-2.
In a change from the normal singles lineup, junior Courtney Vernon drew the No. 1 position and easily out- dueled SU's Virginia Galbarini 6-0, 6-1 for her first ever win in the first spot. The Solon, Ohio native and No. 54 ranked singles player in the nation switched positions with No. 10 Shadisha Robinson, who handled Breanna Atkinson 6-3, 6-0 in the second spot.
The Bulls' other rankings hold of Robinson and senior Gabriela Duch in doubles play also held strong, as the No. 22 tandem defeated Galbarini and Atkinson 8-3 in the No. 1 flight.
“I thought we started out a little tentative today, but that's normal for this early in the season,” said head coach Agustin Moreno. “As we went along, we picked up a nice rhythm.”
The remaining singles spots of Jessica Sweeting at No. 3, Liz Cruz at No. 4 and Duch at No. 5, each posted straight set victories.
The women will have a short turnaround as they welcome Jacksonville University to the Varsity Tennis Courts Sun., Feb. 11 at noon. Admission to the match is free.
No. 31 USF 7, Stetson 0
Doubles
1) #22 Duch/Robinson (USF) def. Galbarini/Atkinson (SU) 8-3
2) Vernon/Sweeting (USF) def. St. Clair/Nowicki (SU) 8-4
3) Cruz/Rai (USF) def. Canady/Leonenko (SU) 8-4
Singles
1) #54 Courtney Vernon (USF) def. Virginia Galbarini (SU) 6-0, 6-1
2) #10 Shadisha Robinson (USF) def. Breanna Atkinson (SU) 6-3, 6-0
3) Jessica Sweeting (USF) def. Katherine Nowicki (SU) 6-4, 6-2
4) Liz Cruz (USF) def. Anna Leonenko (SU) 6-2, 6-3
5) Gabriela Duch (USF) def. Catherine Canady (SU) 6-1, 6-1
6) Iciri Rai (USF) def. Natalie Gorham (SU) 1-6, 6-1, 6-2
7) Ann-Marie Modric (USF) def. Daniella Palmiotto (SU) 6-1, 6-0
8) Katherine St. Clair (SU) def. Ashley Schumacher (USF) 6-1, 6-3
Order of Finish: 2,5,1,3,4,6
USF: 1-1 Stetson: 2-3
