BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Defeats in Nos. 1-4 singles play downed the University of North Florida women's tennis team and blemished its perfect record Friday at Alabama-Birmingham with the Blazers stealing a 4-3 decision.
"We didn't play well and I am disappointed with the result," UNF head coach Rodrigo Puebla said. "UAB wanted it more today, and it showed."
The Lady Ospreys (3-1) got off to the start it wanted despite dropping the No. 1 doubles match. Freshman Nikita van Lierop and Ina Durcakova rolled to an 8-2 win at the second doubles position while sophomores Lauren Holton and Victoria Krook sealed the doubles point with an 8-4 No. 3 doubles win.
UAB (2-1) got a three-set singles win at the top position when Evelien Strijker defeated freshman Aline Berkenbrock 5-7, 6-3, 6-3. The Blazers used straight-set wins in the second, third and fourth singles slots to guarantee the victory.
"Our intensity wasn't where it needs to be," Puebla said. "And none of our top players stepped up in singles play."
The sophomore pair gathered a pair of wins in the final two singles positions. Holton outlasted Jenny Cape for a 7-6(1), 5-7, 10-2 victory at No. 5 and Krook earned a default win in the sixth position.
"A 4-3 loss is one you can learn a lot from, and I think we will bounce back well from this," Puebla said. "We will come with a different approach tomorrow when we face a very tough Samford team."
UNF and Samford square off at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday.
