Three Bulls Advance Through First Round Of ITA/Riviera Qualifying

Women's Tennis USF

Bulls Fall To No. 31 Florida International In Regular Season Finale

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

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Players Mentioned

Gabriela Duch

Gabriela Duch

Junior
Courtney Vernon

Courtney Vernon

Sophomore
Shadisha Robinson

Shadisha Robinson

5' 8"
Senior
Jessica Sweeting

Jessica Sweeting

5' 1"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Gabriela Duch

Gabriela Duch

Junior
Courtney Vernon

Courtney Vernon

Sophomore
Shadisha Robinson

Shadisha Robinson

5' 8"
Senior
Jessica Sweeting

Jessica Sweeting

5' 1"
Freshman