University of South Florida
Villanova
Bulls Make Quick Work Of Wildcats
March 05, 2008 | Women's Tennis
TAMPA, Fla. ? In their first home match of the season, the University of South Florida women's tennis team blanked the Villanova Wildcats, 7-0, Wednesday afternoon at the USF Varsity Tennis Courts.
“We played really well today for our first home match,” said head coach Agustin Moreno. “We had a tough situation earlier in the season playing a lot on the road and indoors but it is great to get back out in the sunshine and play at our home court.”
If you blinked, you might have missed the match as the Green and Gold breezed by the Wildcats in a mere one hour and forty five minutes.
First off the court for the Bulls in singles competition was junior Iciri Rai who blew by her opponent Ashley Reed, 6-0, 6-0, in a little over thirty minutes. With the win, Rai is now 9-5 on the season.
“I felt that she (Reed) couldn't keep up with my power,” said Rai who is sporting brand new red contact lenses. “I'm honestly just glad to finally play in front of our fans for the first time this season.”
Not far behind Rai was senior Liz Cruz who downed her opponent, Courtney Reed, 6-0, 6-0 at the No. 3 spot in the line up. The win brings her dual-math record back to .500 at 6-6.
“I felt very confident today,” said Cruz. “If I was down 30-0, I knew that I could come back to win the point”
Freshman Natalia Guevara clinched the match for USF at the No. 6 position with her 6-0, 6-0 victory against Katherine Monari. She raised her season record to 6-5.
“I was very impressed with the energy that we all had on the courts today,” said Guevara. “It was so much nicer to play at home and outdoors for a change.”
No. 49-ranked freshman Janette Bejlkova stayed perfect on the season with her 6-0, 6-0 victory over Carla Erskine. All of Bejlkova's seven victories came at the top position.
Sophomore Allyn Mueller (6-1, 6-2) and Jessica Zok (6-3, 6-0) also picked up victories at the No. 4 and 2 spots.
“This is one of the most complete teams I have had the pleasure of coaching,” said Moreno. “Our goal is to push strong towards the end of the season and repeat as conference champions. These girls are ready to play.”
After a very short one-match home stand, the Bulls will take to the road when they face the Seton Hall Pirates on Saturday, March 8 and the St. John's Red Storm on Monday, March 10. Match times are at 6:30 p.m. and 10 a.m. respectively.
NCAA Women's Tennis
No. 54 USF 7, Villanova 0
USF Varsity Tennis Courts
March 5, 2008, Tampa, Fla.
Doubles
1. Rai/Bejlkova (USF) def. A. Reed/Erskine (VU), 8-0
2. Zok/Mueller (USF) def. Phillis/ C. Reed (VU), 8-1
3. Guevara/Cruz (USF) def. Stone/Urda (VU), 8-0
Order of Finish: 1, 2, 3
Singles
1. No. 49 Janette Bejlkova (USF) def. Carla Erskine (VU), 6-0, 6-0
2. Jessica Zok (USF) def. Emily Urda (VU), 6-3, 6-0
3. Liz Cruz (USF) def. Courtney Reed (VU), 6-0, 6-0
4. Allyn Mueller (USF) def. Danielle Phillis (VU), 6-1, 6-2
5. Iciri Rai (USF) def. Ashley Reed (VU), 6-0, 6-0
6. Natalia Guevara (USF) def. Katherine Monari (VU), 6-0,6-0
Order of Finish: 5, 3, 6, 1, 2, 4
