Florida Gators
Gator Fall Classic -Day 2 of 3
Women's Tennis Continues Strong Play at Gator Fall Classic
Saturday, September 24, 2005 | Women's Tennis
The University of Florida swept its singles matches against Miami Saturday afternoon during the second day of play at the Gator Fall Classic. UF split its two doubles matches against Northwestern during the morning session held at the Ring Tennis Complex.
The final day of the Gator Fall Classic concludes Sunday, when Florida and FIU battle in doubles beginning at 8 a.m., followed by singles competition with the Gators facing the Northwestern Wildcats. Admission is free.
"The most important thing we want to get out of this tournament is to play matches and find out more about our games," UF head coach Roland Thornqvist said. "I think we're finding out areas where we need to improve. I feel like we're getting stronger in match play each day. We were tougher today than we were yesterday. We're still not hitting on all cylinders, but it's early. Overall, I'm pleased. Fitness wise, we look really good. Match wise, there are nerves involved and the only way to get ride of those is to continue to play more matches."
Gator newcomer Diana Srebrovic blasted past her singles opponent for the second consecutive day, downing Miami's Monika Dancevic 6-2, 6-0 to log UF's first singles win.
"Considering the fact that this is the beginning of the year, I feel good about how I played," Srebrovic said. "I'll continue to get better as the season progresses."
Sophomore Lolita Frangulyan netted the top win of the day, earning her first collegiate victory over a ranked opponent as she defeated Miami's 85th-ranked Emily Mowery 6-2, 7-6 (3). With the second set tiebreak on serve through five points, Mowery served a pair of double-faults leading to Frangulyan's 5-2 advantage and she never looked back taking the straight set win.
"I played really well in the first set, I was aggressive and she made a couple of errors," Frangulyan said. "In the second set, she was a very good counter-puncher and adjusted to my game. I started making a lot of errors and pushing the ball, but I was able to step it up when I needed to and that was the reason I won today."
Sophomore Nina Suvak looked solid during her 6-0, 6-1 victory over Miami's Ana Rupic, as she was the second Gator off the court following Srebrovic.
"Today was better than yesterday for me, not just physically, but mentally," Suvak said. "I stepped in, I tried my best and it worked out pretty well."
Boglarka Berecz overcame a slow start to rally for a 7-5, 6-4 victory over Patricia Starzyk. The Gator senior was receiving, down 5-3 in the first set before staging a comeback to take the next seven games to take the opening set and earn an early break in the second. Starzyk broke back in the seventh game and held to get the match back on-serve, but Berecz kept the pressure on by holding to take a 5-4 lead in the second before breaking in the final game to take the match.
"There were some shots I wasn't comfortable taking early in the first set," Berecz revealed. "I wasn't that focused. But at the end of the set, I got it together and got back into the set. (Starzyk) got down on herself and frustrated and I was able to take advantage of that to start the second set. Overall, the team played really well so I'm very happy about that. We did a great job today."
Whitney Benik completed the Gator singles sweep after outlasting Audrey Banada 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 in the longest match of the day. The Gator sophomore jumped out to a quick break and a 3-0 lead to start the deciding frame. Banada finally broke in the seventh game, but Benik broke right back to take a 5-3 lead and served out for the victory.
"I've been playing really good in practice, so I'm disappointed with how I've played during this tournament," Benik said. "I found a way to win today, though, so I guess that's a positive."
The UF doubles team of Frangulyan and Srebrovic won their match against Northwestern's Nazlie Ghazal and Jamie Peisel 8-2 to net their second consecutive win and help the Gators earn a split against the Wildcats.
"Playing doubles with (Frangulyan) is great," Srebrovic shared. "We're really good friends off the court which helps our communication on the court. Our games compliment each others really well. I'm good at the baseline, she's great at the net and that sets everything up. I'll hit the forehand and she'll hit the put-away."
2005 Gator Fall Classic
Ring Tennis Complex
Gainesville, Fla.
Singles & Doubles Results for Saturday, September 24, 2005
Doubles
Melissa Applebaum/Audrey Banada (12), Miami def. Nikkita Fountain/Desanka Jovanovic, FIU 8-5
Paula Zabala/Shilla D'Armas, FIU def. Ana Rupic/Patricia Starzyk, Miami 9-7
Cristelle Greir/Alexis Prousis, NW def. Whitney Benik/Nina Suvak (18), Florida 8-2
Monika Dancevic/ Emily Mowery, Miami def. Bruna Discordia/Courtney Jonson, FIU 9-8 (8-6)
Lolita Frangulyan/Diana Srebrovic, Florida def. Nazlie Ghazal/Jamie Peisel, NW 8-2
Singles
Whitney Benik (93), Florida def. Audrey Banada, Miami 6-4, 3-6, 6-3
Boglarka Berecz (53), Florida def. Patricia Starzyk (106), Miami 7-5, 6-4
Diana Srebrovic (34), Florida def. Monika Dancevic, Miami 6-2, 6-0
Nina Suvak (56), Florida def. Ana Rupic, Miami 6-0, 6-1
Lolita Frangulyan, Florida def. Emily Mowery (85), Miami 6-2, 7-6 (3)
Alexis Prousis (50), NW def. Paula Zabala (42), FIU6-1, 6-2
Cristelle Greir (11), NW def. Nikkita Fountain,FIU 6-1, 6-2
Jamie Peisel, NW def. Shilla D'Armas, FIU 6-1, ret.
Nazlie Ghazal, NW def. Desanka Jovanovic, FIU 6-2, 6-1
Alexis Conill, NW def. Bruna Discordia, FIU 6-0, 7-6 (3)
END OF REPORT
