DELAND, Fla. ? The No. 28 University of South Florida women's tennis team won its fifth-straight match, besting the Stetson University Hatters, 7-0, on a soggy afternoon in DeLand, Fla.

The Bulls (5-0) started the match off by capturing the doubles point, sweeping all three matches.

Senior Liz Cruz and junior Iciri Rai teamed up for the first time this season at the No. 1 doubles position to defeat the tandem of Valentina Galbarni and Unnati Purushotham, 8-6.

The two teams were able to finish matches at the No. 3, 4 and 6 singles positions before a short rain delay.

Sophomore Jessica Zok and Rai dropped a combined five games between them, securing wins at the No. 3 and 4 positions.

In a change from the normal lineup, Cruz got the call at the top singles spot. Down in the first set to Galbarni, she came back strong after the rain delay to take the first set, 7-5. Cruz then sailed to a victory by blanking her opponent in the second set, 6-0, to win the match and clinch the victory for the Bulls.

USF will now travel to Atlanta, Ga. for what will be the biggest test for the Bulls so far on their young season. They will play Winthrop on Fri at 6 p.m., defending national champions Georgia Tech on Sat at 1 p.m. and No. 5 Georgia Sun. at 1 p.m. For news and results of the weekend matches, log on to www.GoUSFBulls.com

NCAA Women's Tennis
USF Bulls (5-0) vs. Stetson Hatters (0-2)
January 24, 2008
DeLand, Fla.

No. 28 USF 7, SU 0


1. Cruz/Rai (USF) def. Valentina/Unnati (SU), 8-6
2. Mueller/Zok (USF) def. Gorham/Nowicki (SU). 8-3
3. Guevara/Shumate (USF) def. Atkinson/St. Clair (SU), 9-7

1. Liz Cruz (USF) def. Valentina Galbarni (SU), 7-5, 6-0
2. Allyn Mueller (USF) def. Breanna Atkinson (SU), 4-6, 6-1, 6-2
3. Jessica Zok (USF) def. Unnati Purushotham (SU), 6-2, 6-0
4. Iciri Rai (USF) def. Natalie Gorham (SU), 6-2, 6-1
5. Natalia Guevara (USF) def. Catherine Canady (SU), 6-2, 6-2.
6. Jessica Sweeting def. Katherine Nawicki (SU), 6-4, 6-4.