JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The University of North Florida women's tennis team had everything going right for it on Saturday in a 5-2 win over East Tennessee State.

 

Junior Natalia Sanchez led UNF (9-10, 6-2 Atlantic Sun Conference) with the biggest win of her career. In the No. 1 singles match, Sanchez defeated 92^nd-ranked Yevgeniya Stupak in straight sets, 6-3, 7-5. Sanchez improved her record to 10-7 overall and 6-2 in conference play.

 

At No. 4 singles, junior Ina Durcakova picked up a 6-2, 6-2, win over ETSU's Andra Voinea. Freshman Victoria Krook posted a No. 5 singles win over ETSU's Elena Volobueva by scores of 6-3, 6-2. Junior Carolina Melo helped wrap up the match win with a 7-5, 6-2, decision over ETSU's Whitney Trotter.

 

The Ospreys picked up the important doubles point at the beginning of the dual with wins at the No. 2 and 3 positions. Senior Vanessa Sanchez and Durcakova posted an 8-6 win over Volobueva and Tara Byrne in the No. 2 match, while junior Maria Melihova and Krook defeated Voinea and Vita Moskaliova, 8-6.

 

“We probably played our best tennis this season,” assistant tennis coach Rodrigo Puebla said. “We came out with great intensity first with doubles and kept it going with singles. We've been looking for this type of intensity this season and we got it today. Carolina has been playing unbelievable tennis and I'm happy with how she played today.”

 

The Ospreys will return to action at 2 p.m. on Friday against Mercer in Macon, Ga.

 

East Tennessee State vs North Florida

Mar 29, 2008 at Jacksonville, Fla.

 

 

 Singles competition

1. Natalia Sanchez (UNFW) def. #92 Yevgeniya Stupak (ETSU) 6-3, 7-5

2. Olya Batsula (ETSU) def. Vanessa Sanchez (UNFW) 6-7, 6-4, 6-3

3. Tara Byrne (ETSU) def. Maria Melihova (UNFW) 6-3, 2-6, 6-3

4. Ina Durcakova (UNFW) def. Andra Voinea (ETSU) 6-2, 6-2

5. Victoria Krook (UNFW) def. Elena Volobueva (ETSU) 6-3, 6-2

6. Carolina Melo (UNFW) def. Whitney Trotter (ETSU) 7-5, 6-2

 

 Doubles competition

1. Olya Batsula/Yevgeniya Stupak (ETSU) def. Carolina Melo/Natalia Sanchez (UNFW) 8-5

2. Vanessa Sanchez/Ina Durcakova (UNFW) def. Elena Volobueva/Tara Byrne (ETSU) 8-6

3. Maria Melihova/Victoria Krook (UNFW) def. Vita Moskaliova/Andra Voinea (ETSU) 8-6

 

East Tennessee State 10-8, 6-2 A-Sun

North Florida 9-10, 6-2 A-Sun