The second-ranked University of Florida women’s tennis team defeated College of Charleston, 6-0, Saturday morning in the first round of the ITA Kick-Off Classic played at Linder Stadium at Ring Tennis Complex.
The win extend the Gators’ regular-season home-winning streak to 93, including 82 consecutive overall home victories.
“I thought we played pretty well,” UF head coach Roland Thornqvist said. “We had moments in doubles where we weren’t as focused, but we got off the court quickly when we were supposed to in singles.”
With today’s win, Thornqvist improved his record to 294-79 in 15 years of collegiate coaching, including a 219-29 mark in 10 seasons with the Gators.
Florida (2-0) earned its first point against College of Charleston (0-1) with wins at the No. 2 and 3 doubles spots. Lauren Embree (Marco Island, Fla.) and Joanna Mather (Duluth, Ga.) won the first doubles match with an 8-1 victory and Alex Cercone (Seminole, Fla.) and Olivia Janowicz (Palm Bay, Fla.) clinched the doubles point with their 8-0 win.
In singles play, Janowicz earned the first singles point with her 6-0, 6-2 defeat of Kelly Kambourelis at the No. 5 position. Caroline Hitimana (Waterloo, Belgium) was not far behind in her victory over Irene Viana, 6-1, 6-0.
Freshman Sofie Oyen (Leopoldsburg, Belgium) clinched the match with her 6-1, 6-3 win over Charleston’s Kinsey Casey at the No. 3 spot, but Allie Will (Boca Raton, Fla.) and Embree still had time to record wins at the No. 1 and 2 spots, respectively.
“I felt a lot better than I had in doubles play,” Embree said. “I felt more confident in singles too, but not quite as good, but I still played well throughout the match and tried to keep my focus.”
Florida awaits the winner of the other first-round ITA Kick-Off Classic match played in Gainesville between Winthrop and William & Mary. The second-round championship match will be played Sunday at 1 p.m., following the consolation match that begins at 10 a.m.
The winner of the second-round advances to the round of 16 for the ITA National Team Indoor Championships held in Madison, Wis., February 18-21.
Women’s College Tennis
No. 69 College of Charleston at No. 2 Florida
Linder Stadium at Ring Tennis Complex
Gainesville, Fla.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Final Score: Florida 6, CofC 0
Doubles
1. (1) Sofie Oyen/Allie Will, UF v. Emma Hayman/Irene Viana, CofC, 5-3
2. Lauren Embree/Joanna Mather, UF d. Christin Newman/Kelly Kambourelis, CofC, 8-1
3. Alex Cercone/Caroline Hitimana, UF d. Caroline Newman/Katie Lee, CofC, 8-0*
Singles
1. (7) Allie Will, UF d. Christin Newman, CofC, 6-0, 6-0
2. Lauren Embree, UF d. Emma Hayman, CofC, 6-2, 6-2
3. (96) Sofie Oyen, UF d. Kinsey Casey, CofC, 6-1, 6-3*
4. (30) Joanna Mather, UF vs. Caroline Newman, CofC, 7-5, 2-1, DNF
5. (28) Alex Cercone, UF d. Kelly Kambourelis, CofC, 6-0, 6-2
6. (22) Caroline Hitimana, UF d. Irene Viana, CofC, 6-1, 6-0
Order of Finish: Doubles: 2,3* ; Singles: 5, 6, 3*, 2, 1
*indicates clinching doubles point and dual match victory
Records: Florida 2-0; CofC 0-1
