Florida Gators
Central Florida (NCAA-1 Rnd)
Top-Seeded Women's Tennis Tops UCF in NCAA 1-Rnd
Friday, May 10, 2002 | Women's Tennis
With on-court temperatures over 100 degrees, top-seeded Florida breezed past Central Florida 4-0 in the first round of the NCAA Women's Tennis Championships. The Gators (20-1) face Miami in the NCAA Second Round on Saturday at 4 p.m. at Linder Stadium at Ring Tennis Complex. The winner of that match advances to the Round of 16 played in Stanford, Calif.
Miami defeated cross-town rival Florida International 4-2 in the other NCAA First Round matched played on the University of Florida campus.
"This was probably the hottest temperature we have played in all year, but we've been practicing in it, preparing for a day like today," said UF head coach Roland Thornqvist about the extreme heat. "I don't think we'll play another match under these conditions for the rest of the tournament. I was pleased with the way we played today. Everyone came out focused and ready. I was more concerned with how much rust we might have in doubles, but we played well."
"The reason I wanted to play this match is because we can play with this team," said UCF coach Sonja Prokopec. "My job now is to go back and reinforce that we deserve to be here and that we can play with this team. But hats off to Florida. We wanted to play the best, and we did. Florida is very disciplined and very well-coached."
Florida raced out from the start of the match and captured the doubles point with identical 8-2 victories at the No. 1 and 3 positions. UF's No. 2 spot was leading 7-2, 40-0 when play was abandoned.
In singles action, top-ranked Jessica Lehnhoff (Delray Beach, FL) cruised past Emmanuell Sauze 6-0, 6-1 in 47 minutes.
"We've been preparing to play in the NCAA Championship since our first practice so we're ready for this," Lehnhoff said. "Today, a lot of things were working for me. We haven't played a match since winning the SEC Tournament so you just never know how much rust you have. I felt good today."
Gator freshman Zerene Reyes (Mexico City, Mexico) jumped on Marieke Gunawan early to win the first set 6-1. The second set was on serve through the first four games when Reyes earned a break, winning the final four games to take the match 6-1, 6-2.
"We're used to (the heat), but it was tough today," Reyes said. "We've been practicing in the middle of the day to prepare for temperatures like this."
Florida sophomore Lindsay Dawaf (Olney, MD) provided the clinching team point with a 6-3, 6-1 win at the No. 2 position over Anna Westin. Dawaf's match opened with service breaks in four of the first five games, as Dawaf was the recipient of three of them, earning her fourth break of the match in the final game of the opening set en route to the straight set victory.
Play at the other three positions were abandoned once the match was clinched.
NCAA WOMEN'S TENNIS
FIRST ROUND
Linder Stadium at Ring Tennis Complex
Gainesville, Fla.
May 10, 2002
Team Results
Florida 4, Central Florida 0
Miami 4, Florida International 2
Individual Results
Final Score: Florida 4, Central Florida 0
Doubles
1-Jessica Lehnhoff/Lindsay Dawaf (3), UF d. Julie Pecastaing/Anna Westin, UCF 8-2
2-Alexis Gordon/Julia Scaringe, UF vs. Marieke Gunawan/Amira Samara, UCF did not finish
3-Annika Bengtsson/Zerene Reyes, UF d. Kristina Lohmos/Emmanuell Sauze, UCF 8-2
Singles
1-Jessica Lehnhoff (1), UF d. Emmanuell Sauze, UCF 6-0, 6-1
2-Lindsay Dawaf (18), UF d. Anna Westin, UCF (6-3, 6-1*
3-Zerene Reyes (53), UF d. Marieke Gunawan, UCF 6-1, 6-2
4-Alexis Gordon (118), UF vs. Julie Pecastaing, UCF did not finish
5-Annika Bengtsson, UF vs. Kristina Lohmos, UCF did not finish
6-Julia Scaringe, UF vs. Amira Samara, UCF did not finish
*clinching match
END OF REPORT
