The 17th-ranked University of Florida women's tennis team shutout No. 7 Duke, 4-0, to earn its second consecutive victory over a top-10 team.
The Gators (8-2) defeated No. 9 North Carolina on Sunday, 6-1, prior to tonight's win.
"It was nice to beat my alma mater on Sunday, but it's great to beat the Duke Blue Devils (10-4)," UF head coach Roland Thornqvist said. "I grew up wanting to beat Duke in everything, so tonight's victory was especially fun. We out-hustled them today and we wanted it more. I'm more proud of our effort than anything else. This will give us some good momentum heading into this weekend's SEC matches."
UF continues its four-match home stand on Friday, when the Gators play host to Auburn beginning at 5 p.m.
Freshman Alex Liles provided the clinching dual match point in one hour and 25 minutes, topping Jenny Zika 6-4, 6-0 at the No. 3 position. The opening set featured six service breaks in the first eight games and was on serve with Liles receiving up 5-4. The Gator rookie broke Zika in the 10th game to take the first set after beginning the match down 3-0 and a pair of breaks.
Sophomore Nina Suvak set the tone early for the Gators on the singles courts earning a break to start the match en route to an impressive 6-2, 6-0 victory at the the No. 6 position over Kristin Cargill.
Freshman Whitney Benik then topped Clelia Deltour, 6-3, 6-1, on court No. 5 to give the Gators a 3-0 lead in the dual match. Benik ripped out of the gate taking a 4-0 lead before serving out for the first set. She began the second with another break, crusing to the straight set victory.
Senior Zerene Reyes and junior Jennifer Magley won the first sets on their respective singles court when play was abandoned. Prior to the match, the teams decided to halt play once the doubles point and dual match had been clinched.
The Gators began the dual match winning the doubles point for the 34th consecutive regular season contest. UF captured victories on the No. 2 and No. 3 courts, needing 41 minutes to earn the two wins. The Gators held a 7-2 lead on court No. 1 when play was halted.
Women's College Tennis
No. 7 Duke at No. 17 Florida
Linder Stadium at Ring Tennis Complex * Gainesville, Fla.
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
Final Score: Florida 4, Duke 0
Doubles
No. 1 Jennifer Magley/Zerene Reyes (11), UF led Kate Blaszak/Jackie Carleton, DU 7-2
No. 2 Whitney Benik/Lolita Frangulyan (9), UF def. Kristin Cargill/Jenny Zika, DU 8-2
No. 3 Alex Liles/Nina Suvak, UF def. Clelia Deltour/Parker Goyer, DU 8-1*
Singles
No. 1 Jennifer Magley (12), UF led Kate Blaszak (39), DU 7-6 (3), 3-0
No. 2 Zerene Reyes (17), UF led Jackie Carleton, DU 6-1, 2-1
No. 3 Alex Liles, UF def. Jenny Zika, DU 6-4, 6-0*
No. 4 Saras Arasu, DU led Boglarka Berecz (63), UF 6-4, 2-3
No. 5 Whitney Benik, UF def. Clelia Deltour, DU 6-3, 6-1
No. 6 Nina Suvak, UF def. Kristin Cargill, DU 6-2, 6-0
Order of Finish: Doubles-2, 3; Singles-6, 5, 3
NOTE: teams decided to halt play once the doubles point and dual match had been clinched.
*clinched doubles point/dual match
END OF REPORT
