The University of Florida women's tennis team defeated Arizona State 4-0 in the Round of 16 at the NCAA Championships on Thursday at the Ring Tennis Complex.
"This was a solid win today because everyone knows that Arizona State is coached by one of the absolute greatest college coaches," UF head coach Roland Thornqvist said. "We all knew that no one on the Sun Devils team was going to lay down, so we knew we had to play until the whistle blew. I thought we played with great energy in the doubles and carried that into the early stages of the singles matches."
"We figured it was going to be tough for us to win the doubles point," Arizona State Head Coach Sheila McInerney said. "There's not much to say, it's not like the better team didn't win today."
The Gators (28-2) advance to the NCAA Quarterfinals for the 17th consecutive year where they will face Vanderbilt (21-5) on Friday at 10 a.m. The Commodores, who are the No. 10 seed, upset No. 7-seeded Tennessee 4-3 in their Round of 16 match. Vanderbilt handed the Gators their lone loss of the SEC season, topping Florida 4-3 in Nashville back on March 16th.
The Gators came out in impressive fashion, taking the doubles point in 46 minutes, as UF's No. 3 team of Lindsay Dawaf and Julia Scaringe defeated Meagan Yeats and Joslynn Burkett 8-2 to give the Gators their first win. The No. 1 tandem of Jennifer Magley and Zerene topped Adria Engel and Lauren Colalillo 8-1 to seal the doubles point for Florida.
"I was really happy with our doubles play in particular. Our number one team has played well all year, but today there were at the top of their game," Thornqvist said. "They were as confident as I have seen them all year. Today, they beat a very good doubles team from Arizona State. I thought all of our doubles teams played well. When we come out like that, we're going to be tough to beat."
Florida carried that momentum onto the singles courts, where the Gators won the first set on all six courts en route to claiming victories at the Nos. 2, 5 and 6 spots.
Florida sophomore Alexis Gordon continued her blazing streak by posting her 20th consecutive win with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Lauren Colalillo at the No. 5 position. Gordon has won 72 of the last 82 games she has played.
Julie Rotondi then gave UF a 3-0 lead after a 6-2, 6-1 win over Dora Krstulovic at the No. 2 position in one hour and 11 minutes.
"The quicker we can could off the court today and save our legs for the next match, the better. We're lucky it wasn't that hot today, but I think we want it to be hotter," Rotondi said. "Losing to Vanderbilt was the worst experience of our season and we're glad we get another shot at them."
Freshman Jennifer Magley provided the clinching team point and earned her first ever NCAA Championships victory with a 6-2, 6-2 decision over Meagan Yeats. Magley jumped out to start the second set with a break and the two competitor played on-serve until the seventh game, where Magley earned another before serving out the final game at love.
"Everyone came out with their game-face on today and that's every team's dream," UF freshman Jennifer Magley said. "We all came ready to play and take care of business. I'm excited about tomorrow's match. It's one I've been looking forward to for a while. It should be a lot of fun."
NCAA Women's Tennis Championships Round of 16
Ring Tennis Complex, Gainesville, FL
May 15, 2003
Florida 4, Arizona State 0
Doubles
1. Jennifer Magley/Zerene Reyes (26), UF d. Adria Engel/Lauren Colalillo, ASU 8-1*
2. Alexis Gordon/Julie Rotondi (53), UF vs. Mhairi Brown/Ciindy Sureephong, ASU DNF (UF led 5-4)
3. Lindsay Dawaf/Julia Scaringe, UF d. Meagan Yeats/Joslynn Burkett, ASU 8-2
Singles
1. Julia Scaringe (47), UF vs. Adria Engel (7), ASU DNF (UF led 6-4, 3-2)
2. Julie Rotondi (35), UF d. Dora Krstulovic (56), ASU 6-2, 6-1
3. Lindsay Dawaf (28), UF vs. Mhairi Brown, ASU DNF (UF led 7-5, 2-0)
4. Zerene Reyes (24), UF vs. Cindy Sureephong, ASU DNF (UF led 6-3, 3-2)
5. Alexis Gordon (14), UF d. Lauren Colalillo, ASU 6-3, 6-2
6. Jennifer Magley (95), UF d. Meagan Yeats, ASU 6-2, 6-2
Order of Finish: Doubles: 3,1; Singles: 5, 2, 6
END OF REPORT
