Special to GoUSFBulls.com

TAMPA - The No. 37 USF women's tennis team split the doubleheader against Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of North Carolina-Wilmington on Friday at the USF Varsity Courts.

After not playing a match in more than two weeks, the Bulls came out Friday morning against No. 48 VCU and lost, 4-1.

"We had a tough match against VCU, they are a tough team," said head coach Agustin Moreno, "They are much tougher than what they're ranked.

No. 41 Ecaterina Vasenina was the lone winner for the Bulls in the first match, beating her opponent Ana Bara, 6-1, 6-2.

Paula Montoya and Danielle Mills were both able to push their opponents into three sets, but could not come away with the win.

The Bulls did not have time to dwell on their loss, as they had to get right back at it against another ranked opponent in No. 75 UNC-Wilmington.

USF fought hard to defeat UNCW, 4-2, after almost three hours of play.

The Bulls did not get off to the greatest start, but because of the USF's crowd momentum quickly shifted.

"We did great. We had so much outside help. I want to thank coach George Kiefer that brought the soccer team. They came and really helped us out and completely changed the momentum," Moreno said. "When people are cheering you have a responsibility to win and the girls felt it."

Vasenina won her singles match again in just two sets, beating her opponent 6-1, 6-4. Fanny Fracassi also won in just two sets, 6-4, 6-4.

After losing the first set, Loreto Alonso Martinez was able to come back and win the next two against Olga Blank, 3-6, 6-2, 6-1.

Sophomore Alessandra Bonte was able to clinch the win for the Bulls, defeating her opponent, 2-6, 6-2, 6-2.

Four of USF's players lost their first set and battled back to win in the second and push their opponents into three sets.

The Bulls will host another doubleheader Sunday at the USF Varsity Courts against Georgia State and Marquette. The matches will begin at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. respectively.

No. 48 VCU 4, No. 37 USF 1
April 6, 2012
USF Varsity Courts
Tampa, Florida

Doubles
1. Al. Bara/An. Bara (VCU) def. No. 54 E. Vasenina/L. Martinez (USF) 7-6
2. O. Terteac/D. Yakauleva (VCU)def. F. Fracassi/D. Mills (USF) 8-6
3. A. Gerasimova/S. Kvitashvili (VCU) def. P. Montoya/L. Rey (USF) 8-4
Singles
1. No. 41 Ecaterina Vasenina (USF) def. Ana Bara (VCU) 6-1, 6-2
2. Loreto Alonso Martinez (USF) vs. Alex Bara 6-3, 3-6, 1-0 unfinished
3. Fanny Fracassi (USF) vs. Olga Terteac (VCU) 7-6, 4-6, 3-0 unfinished
4. Alena Gerasimova (VCU) def. Danielle Mills (USF) 2-6, 6-4, 6-3
5. Daria Yakauleva (VCU) def. Paula Montoya (USF) 6-1, 4-6, 6-4
6. Salome Kvitashvili (VCU) def. Lucie Rey (USF) 6-3 ,6-3

No. 75 UNCW 2, No. 37 USF 4
April 6, 2012
USF Varsity Courts
Tampa

Singles
1. No. 41 Ecaterina Vasenina (USF) def. Christina Lee (UNCW) 6-1, 6-4
2. Loreto Alonso Martinez (USF) def. Olga Blank (UNCW) 3-6, 6-2, 6-1
3. Fanny Fracassi (USF) def. Angie Sekely (UNCW) 6-4, 6-4
4. Paula Montoya (USF) vs. Alyssa Ritchie (UNCW) 6-1, 3-6, 6-3
5. Alessandra Bonte (USF) def. Christina Riley (UNCW) 2-6, 6-2, 6-2
6. Casey Dasiell (UNCW) def. Lucie Rey (USF) 6-2, 4-6, 7-6

Doubles
1. No. 54 E. Vasenina/L. Martinez (USF) vs. C. Lee/A. Ritchie (UNCW) not played
2. F. Fracassi/D. Mills (USF) vs. O. Blank/A. Sekely (UNCW) not played
3. P. Montoya/L. Rey (USF) vs. K. Cameron/M. Hales (UNCW) not played