JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Feb. 13, 2005) - The University of North Florida men's and women's tennis teams were given their first tests of the season on Sunday; and they both passed. The No. 3 nationally ranked men, led by a strong doubles showing, defeated No. 16 ranked Lynn University 6-3. The No. 7 ranked UNF women's team pulled off the upset by downing the No. 3 ranked LU women's team, 6-3.
"After gaining an advantage in doubles, our girls saw an opportunity and took it," head coach Tom Schrader said. "We had enough firepower to perform strong in singles as well."
The firepower was evident from the beginning of singles when No. 22 Yevgeniya Barysheva defeated No. 3 Vici Weltz in straight sets. That was followed by another upset, this time by senior Melanie Eng, who disposed of No. 20 Marie Maussion in three sets.
"Melanie and Yevgeniya both played so well today," Schrader said. "First they won in doubles together, then each won their singles matches against some very tough competition. I couldn't be more proud."
The UNF men took advantage of a clean sweep in doubles to help them hold off the Fighting Knights.
"We knew that Lynn was going to be tough, so winning doubles was big for us," Schrader said. "For us to lose three of the six singles matches, and still win, says a lot about our players."
Freshman Eduardo Pereira continued to be impressive as he upset No. 50 Regnier Azevedo in straight sets at the No. 3 position. No. 26 Leonardo Gomes and junior Sheldon Simpson we also victorious in singles.
The win improves the men's record to 3-0 on the season, and the women are now 2-0. Both teams will be in action on Feb. 17, each hosting Embry-Riddle at 2:30 p.m.
(UNF women win 6-3)
Women's Doubles
1. Weltz/Ilic (LU) def. Hung/Stoppelli (UNF) 8- 5
2. Barysheva/Eng (UNF) def. Bayser/Bajramovic (LU) 9-8 (7-5)
3. Brandt/Rogers (UNF) def. Hepburn/Maussion (LU) Default
Women's Singles
1. #22 Yevgeniya Barysheva (UNF) def. #3 Vici Weltz (LU) 6-4, 6-3
2. #42 Liliana Liun Hung (UNF) def. Masha Bayser (LU) 6-2, 7-5
3. #17 Drasana Ilic (LU) def. Katja Brandt (UNF) 6-3, 6-2
4. Dina Bajramovic (LU) def. Vanessa Sanchez (UNF) 6-2, 6-2
5. Melanie Eng (UNF) def. #20 Marie Maussion (LU) 6-3, 3-6, 6-4
6. Robin Rogers (UNF) def. Amy Hepburn (LU) Default
(UNF men win 6-3)
Men's Doubles
1. Gomes/Escallon (UNF) def. Azevedo/Zednik (LU) 8-3
2. Terrera/Simpson (UNF) def. Macko/Morones (LU) 8-6
3. Gabay/Pereira (UNF) def. Verduin/Riegraf (LU) 8-5
Men's Singles
1. Aivarus Balzekas (LU) def. #10 Jose Terrera (UNF) 6-2, 6-2
2. #37 Eduardo Morones (LU) def. German Escallon (UNF) 6-3, 7-6 (7-2)
3. Eduardo Pereira (UNF) def. #50 Regnier Azevedo (LU) 7-6 (11-9), 6-2
4. Jan Macko (LU) def. Damien De Polignac (UNF) 4-6, 6-1, 6-3
5. #26 Leonardo Gomes (UNF) def. Dennis Riegraf (LU) 6-3, 6-7, 3-2 (stop)
6. Sheldon Simpson (UNF) def. Dennis Verduin (LU) 6-4, 2-6, 6-1
