MIAMI, Fla. (April 15, 2007) - Seeking a win in its final tune-up before the BIG EAST Championships, the NO. 38 University of South Florida women's tennis team was undone 4-2 by No. 31 FIU in less than ideal weather conditions.
Playing under a tornado watch, the two sides agreed before the match to cancel the doubles portion and let singles play decide the outcome.
With six possible points, FIU (16-4) jumped out to an early 3-0 lead over USF (12-7) with wins at Nos. 3,6 and 2. Jessica Sweeting fell to Shilla D'Armas in straight sets on court three, Iciri Rai was outdone by Nikkita Fountain, 7-5, 6-3 at the sixth spot and No. 45 Courtney Vernon was upset by the Golden Panthers' Egle Petrauskaite in the second position.
The Bulls turned it into a match by winning courts four and five. Liz Cruz took down Priscilla Castillo in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2 and No. 121 Gabriela Duch fought back after a first set loss to Marijana Cutuk to take the remaining frames 6-2, 6-2.
With the match hinged at the No. 1 spot, No. 31 Shadisha Robinson fell in the first set to Paula Zabala 6-3, but then seized the second one by the same score to set up the dramatic final frame. Zabala jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the deciding set before Robinson pulled to within one, 3-2. After splitting the next two games, Zabala pulled away for good, taking the final two games for the 6-3 final.
With the regular season concluded, the Bulls will turn their attention to the BIG EAST Championships, which the team will host beginning this Thursday. The team captured the runner-up trophy a year ago in its first year with the league and will look forward to some great competition again this year.
No. 31 FIU 4, No. 38 USF 2
Doubles Not Played
Singles:
1) Paula Zabala (FIU) def. (31) Shadisha Robinson (USF) 6-3, 3-6, 6-3
2) Egle Petrauskaite (FIU) def. (45) Courtney Vernon (USF) 6-3, 7-6
3) Shilla D'Armas (FIU) def. Jessica Sweeting (USF) 6-3, 6-2
4) Liz Cruz (USF) def. Priscilla Castillo (FIU) 6-2, 7-5
5) (121) Gabriela Duch (USF) def. Marijana Cutuk (FIU) 4-6, 6-2, 6-2
6) Nikkita Fountain (FIU) def. Iciri Rai (USF) 7-5, 6-3
Order of Finish: 3,6,2,4,5,1
USF: 12-7 FIU: 16-4
