Lady Ospreys soar in season opener

Saturday, January 31

Statesboro, Ga.

1 p.m.

University of North Florida

Georgia Southern

Freshman Aline Berkenbrock chalked a 6-4, 6-3 No. 1 singles win

1/31/2009 7:47:00 PM | Women's Tennis

UNF defeated Georgia Southern 5-2 and hosts Missouri-Kansas City Thursday

By: Adam Jonson, UNF Athletics

Box Score

STATESBORO, Ga. – Junior Raquel Castro used a straight-set singles win after the University of North Florida women's tennis team took the doubles point to seal a 5-2 win in its season opener at Georgia Southern on Saturday.

“We came out strong in doubles and set the tone for the match,” UNF head coach Rodrigo Puebla said. “Getting the doubles point was important for us to build some confidence heading into singles play.”

Though sweeping all three doubles matches, the Lady Ospreys (1-0) had no easy go of earning the doubles point. Freshman Aline Berkenbrock and Castro paired for an 8-5 victory in the No. 1 slot while senior Ina Durcakova and freshman Nikita van Lierop grabbed an 8-3 win at No. 2. Sophomores Lauren Holton and Victoria Krook edged past Shea Huxtable and Jessica Fuller in the third position with an 8-6 decision.

Berkenbrock defeated Kristi Kegerreis 6-4, 6-3 at the No. 1 singles position to get things started for the Lady Ospreys in singles play. Senior Ina Durcakova, playing at the No. 5 position posted a 6-0, 6-4 win against Huxtable for UNF's third point of the match.

Castro knocked off Melanie Rolle in the third position by a score of 6-1, 6-3 for the fourth and match-clinching point. Krook kept UNF's clean slate in tact, rolling past Christine Caforio 6-3, 6-0 for a No. 6-singles win.

“Having Raquel come in this year and play in the top of the lineup has a big impact on our team and allows for some options in the lineup,” Puebla said. “I was also glad to see Victoria play well, pick up the win and continue to build her confidence.”

Georgia Southern (1-2) grabbed the final two singles decisions after the match had already been decided. Jessica Fuller outlasted Holton in three sets, winning the first and third (6-3, 1-6, 6-2). After dropping the opening set 7-5 to van Lierop, Ali Beavers rebounded with a 6-0 second set win and nabbed the win with a 10-6 super tiebreaker win.

“It really helps calm all of the girls' anxiety to come away with a win in our first match,” Puebla said. “They were excited to take the court and playing well gives us some momentum heading into our first home match.”

The Lady Ospreys return to action on Thursday, Feb. 5, for their home opener against Missouri-Kansas City at 2 p.m. at the UNF Tennis Complex.