USF Athletics

USF Gears Up for Big Weekend Matches Against Rice and FIU

March 31, 2022

MATCH 17
MATCHUP: South Florida (5-11) vs. No. 55 Rice (9-6)
WHEN: Friday, April 1
TIME: Noon
LOCATION: Tampa, Fla.
SITE: USF Varsity Tennis Courts
LIVE STREAMING/SCORING: https://bit.ly/3NArjhj
 
MATCH 18
MATCHUP: South Florida (5-11*) vs. No. 42 FIU (13-3*)
WHEN: Sunday, April 3
TIME: Noon
LOCATION: Tampa, Fla.
SITE: USF Varsity Tennis Courts
* Entering the weekend
 
TAMPA (March 31, 2022) – The University of South Florida women's tennis team continues its regular-season ending five-match homestand at the USF Varsity Tennis Courts. The Bulls will take to the court against two nationally-ranked foes in three days when they face No. 55 Rice on Friday and No. 42 FIU on Sunday. Both matches start at noon.
 
In singles, Sierra Berry continues to lead the way for the Bulls with a team-high eight wins on the year (8-6), posting a 6-4 record on court two and a 2-2 mark at No. 1.
 
Laura Pellicer has put up a series of strong performances this past month, winning her last three matches that ended as a result, dating back to March 9 against VCU. Pellicer is 7-6 on the year and 7-4 on court three.
 
On the doubles side, the Bulls' No. 2 tandem of Grace Schumacher and Margriet Timmermans have also rounded into form as the season has progressed. The duo is 6-6 on the year and is on a two-match win streak, with all 12 matches being played on court two.
 
At the No. 1 position, Berry and partner Amelie Boy are 5-5, and Pellicer and Selin Yaylali are 3-3 on court three.
 
Scouting No. 55 Rice
The Owls (11-5) enter the match following a two-loss weekend last week against No. 48 Arizona (L, 4-3) and No. 32 Arizona State (L, 4-0), which followed a five-match winning streak.
 
In singles play, Anna Bowtell is 12-3 on the year, including a 6-2 mark on court four. In addition, Maria Budin is also 12-3 overall and 6-3 on court five and wrapping up the trio, Saara Orav is 12-3 on the year and 4-1 on court six.
 
In doubles play, Maria Budin and Diae El Jardi, the 25^th-ranked duo in the country, are 10-4 this season, and 8-4 on court one.
 
Scouting No. 42 FIU
The Panthers (13-3) enter the weekend winning 13 of their last 15 matches, which includes a 4-1 win over then-No. 19-ranked Central Florida, on March 21.
 
In singles play, FIU's top three courts have been dominant this season. The Panthers' Yasmine Kabbaj, is ranked No. 103 in the nation with 15-5 on the year and a stellar 9-1 mark on court one. Kamila Umarova is 17-2 overall – with a perfect 11-0 record on court two – and boasts a thirteen-match winning streak. Andjela Skrobonja is 12-4 on the year and 9-3 on court three.
 
In doubles play, the Cougars have dominated courts one and two. At No. 1, Skrobonja and Umarova are 12-3 on the season, and 10-2 on the top court, with a 10-match win streak. Kristina Miletic and Andreea Velcea are 10-4, including a 6-3 mark on court two and a 2-1 record in court three.
 
About Women's Tennis
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. Head coach Cristina Moros will be in her seventh year at the helm, as she led the program to an American Athletic Conference Championship in 2017.