Florida Gators
#13 Fresno State (National Team Indoor Championships)
Women's Tennis Defeats No. 13 Fresno State, 4-3, in ITA Team Indoor Finale
Monday, February 16, 2009 | Women's Tennis
The University of Florida women's tennis team pulled of a remarkable 4-3 victory over No. 13 Fresno State on Sunday in the consolation draw of the ITA National Team Indoor Championships held at Neilson Tennis Stadium.
For the second consecutive day, the Gators (5-3) were forced to play short-handed after an injury to Megan Alexander reduced the squad to just five players. Florida nearly stunned No. 9 Southern California on Saturday, but fell 4-3. Playing on their third straight day, the Gators dug deep, rallying from a 3-0 deficit to earn the victory.
“I have been a part of many championships and many extraordinary teams, but today's comeback with five players against one of the best teams in the country with some of the best doubles pairings and win 4-3, with the clinching match coming down to our first-semester freshman, was one of the highlights of my young coaching career,” UF head coach Roland Thornqvist shared. “Today is something I will remember for the rest of my life, with how this team came together and never wavered in their belief that they could win. I was so impressed. We gave everything we had, up and down our lineup, and beat a very talented and classy Fresno State team.”
Freshman Jessica Alexander provided the clinching heroics against the Bulldogs, as she defeated Tinesta Rowe, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 to give the Gators the victory.
After battling tough in both doubles matches, Florida found itself on the short end, as Fresno State claimed the doubles point and earned a singles point from the walkover on court No. 6, taking a 2-0 lead.
FSU then jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead when Renata Kucerkova defeated Gator freshman Joanna Mather 6-1, 6-1 on court No. 3, meaning that the Gators would have to win the remaining four singles matches for the team victory.
Junior Marrit Boonstra, ranked No. 34 in the country, kept the Gators' hope alive when she upset 17th-ranked Melanie Gloria, 6-2, 7-5, at the No. 1 position.
Freshman Barbara Pinterova was the next Gator off the court, as she shook off a three-match losing streak and defeated Laura Pola, 7-6 (4), 6-3, to give Florida its second team point.
Gator junior Anastasia Revzina, ranked No. 99, rung up another upset victory, as she toppled 29th-ranked Anastasia Petukhova, 6-3, 6-3, to even the team scoring and set the stage for Alexander's clinching win.
Sunday's competition hosted by the University of Wisconsin in Madison concluded Florida's participation in the national event. It also capped a run of four consecutive 4-3 outcomes involving the Gators, who now take a much needed break before returning to the court on Saturday, Feb. 21, when the team plays host to Troy University.
ITA National Team Indoor Championships, Consolation
Neilson Tennis Stadium, Madison, Wis.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Final Score: Florida 4, Fresno State 3
Doubles
1. Renata Kucerkova/Anastasia Petukhova (5), FSU d. Jessica Alexander/Anastasia Revzina, UF, 8-6
2. Tinesta Rowe/Melanie Gloria (23), FSU d. Joanna Mather /Marrit Boonstra, UF 9-8 (3)
3. walkover for Fresno State
Singles
1. Marrit Boonstra (34), UF d. Melanie Gloria (17), FSU 6-2, 7-5
2. Anastasia Revzina (99), UF d. Anastasia Petukhova (29), FSU, 6-3, 6-3
3. Renata Kucerkova, FSU d. Joanna Mather, UF 6-1, 6-1
4. Jessica Alexander, UF d. Tinesta Rowe, FSU, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3*
5. Barbara Pinterova, UF d. Laura Pola, FSU 7-6 (4), 6-3
6. walkover for Fresno State
Order of Finish: 6, 3, 1, 5, 2, 4*
-UF-
