TAMPA (March 20, 2016) – The USF women's tennis team defeated Middle Tennessee State 4-2 Sunday afternoon at the USF Varsity Tennis Courts to earn its eighth consecutive win.

The Bulls (10-5) started the afternoon down 1-0 as they dropped the doubles point. Both teams split the first two matches, but Middle Tennessee was able to win the deciding third match, 7-5.

The first point of the afternoon for USF was secured by sophomore Juliana Cardoso (Descalvado, Brazil) on court five. Cardoso defeated her opponent in straight sets, 6-3, 6-0. Winner of her last seven matches, Cardoso is now 9-3 on the season in singles.

The Bulls took an early 2-1 lead in singles as junior Olga Martinez (Barcelona, Spain) defeated her opponent 6-3, 6-0, on court three. Freshman Nicole Dzenga (Harare, Zimbabwe) followed with a 7-6 (9-7), 7-6 (7-5) win on court six to give USF its third point of the match.

The match of the day centered around USF sophomore Jessica Cortes Chaves (Monterrey, Mexico) on court one. With the Bulls clinging to a 3-2 lead and only two matches left, Chaves came up clutch with a thrilling three set victory. Chaves dropped the first set, but fought back to complete the 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7-3) win.

The Bulls are back in action Tuesday, March 22, as they take on Cincinnati in the third conference match of the season at the USF Varsity Tennis Courts at 11 a.m. Admission for all home matches is free to the public.

For more information on the USF women's tennis team, follow @USFWomensTennis on Twitter.