TAMPA (March 24, 2017) – Four Bulls fought to a third set in Friday's match against FIU, including Juliana Cardoso, who finished on top after second and third set tiebreakers, but the USF women's tennis team couldn't overcome the Florida International, falling 6-1.
USF trailed after doubles and the Panthers put their first singles point on the board with a straight-set win on court five, 6-3, 6-2, over Vanja Klaric. Senior Vera Bessonova was handed a pair of 6-3 losses by Mina Markovic, and Nina Nagode clinched the match in a third set, 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 victory on court four over Nicole Dzenga.
Ana Roman Dominguez took No. 41 Andrea Lazar to three, but ultimately fell, 6-1, 5-7, 7-6(0). Juliana Cardoso finished off Maryna Veksler with second and third set tiebreaks, 4-6, 7-6(1), 7-6(4), and Jessica Cortes Chaves fell, 6-2, 5-7, 6-4, on six.
In a battle for the doubles point, the Panthers struck first with a 6-1 mark on court three, but courts one and two would not go down easily. Senior Olga Martinez and junior Juliana Cardoso came back to lead court one, 6-5, but and the Panthers came back on court two, clinching the doubles point with a 6-4 win.
Up Next:
The Bulls welcome conference opponent Temple for a noon match Sunday. USF will honor seniors Hailey Grillo, Olga Martinez and Vera Bessonova between doubles and singles during the match.
Results:
Singles competition
1. #41 Andrea Lazaro (FIU) def. Ana Roman (USF) 6-1, 5-7, 7-6 (7-0)
2. Juliana Cardoso (USF) def. Maryna Veksler (FIU) 4-6, 7-6 (7-1), 7-6 (7-4)
3. Mina Markovic (FIU) def. Vera Bessonova (USF) 6-3, 6-3
4. Nina Nagode (FIU) def. Nicole Dzenga (USF) 4-6, 6-1, 7-5
5. Ulyana Grib (FIU) def. Vanja Klaric (USF) 6-3, 6-2
6. Gabriela Ferreira (FIU) def. Jessica Chaves (USF) 6-2, 5-7, 6-4
Doubles competition
1. Juliana Cardoso/Olga Martinez (USF) vs. Andrea Lazaro/Nina Nagode (FIU) 6-5, unfinished
2. Maryna Veksler/Ulyana Grib (FIU) def. Vera Bessonova/Vanja Klaric (USF) 6-4
3. Mina Markovic/Gabriela Ferreira (FIU) def. Nicole Dzenga/Ana Roman (USF) 6-1
Be sure to follow USF women's tennis on social media (Twitter / Facebook / Instagram) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information. The USF women's tennis program returns all singles players from a squad that advanced to the championship match of the conference tournament. Head coach Cristina Moros will be in her second year at the helm of the program after leading USF to an impressive 17-7 season in 2016.
– #GoBulls –
