Lady Ospreys keep streaks alive

Friday, March 20

Jacksonville, Fla.

2 p.m.

University of North Florida

Kennesaw State

Junior Raquel Castro won 6-2, 6-0 at No. 2

3/20/2009 5:16:00 PM | Women's Tennis

UNF won its eighth-straight with a ?-? decision against Kennesaw State

By: Adam Jonson, UNF Athletics

Box Score

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – With a straight-set singles win in the No. 6 position, sophomore Victoria Krook clinched the University of North Florida women's tennis team's eighth-straight win to help keep the team perfect both at home and in Atlantic Sun Conference play this season against Kennesaw State Friday at the UNF Tennis Complex by a score of 5-2.

"We came out and took care of business today against a good Kennesaw State team," UNF head coach Rodrigo Puebla said. "Aline (Berkenbrock) and Raquel (Castro) are really playing well and are stepping in the top positions, which we need them to do."

Berkenbrock, a freshman, and Castro, a junior, both rolled to 6-2, 6-0 wins at the No. 1 and No. 2 positions, respectively, to set up Krook's match-sealing decision. Holton soared to a 6-2, 6-3 win in the fifth spot.

Krook and fellow sophomore Lauren Holton did their part to push UNF's record to 8-0 at home this season by notching an 8-3 win at the third doubles spot. The nationally-ranked No. 64 duo moved its record to 13-0 on the season in helping the Lady Ospreys (11-2, 5-0 A-Sun) sweep the doubles point. Senior Ina Durcakova and freshman Nikita van Lierop secured another 8-3 win at the No. 2 position while Berkenbrock and Castrol grabbed an 8-4 win at the top position.

"Our team has experienced some issues with the flu, but the girls showed a lot of heart by playing through it," Puebla said. "Today's win pushes us a step closer to reaching our goal of winning the A-Sun title."

Kennesaw State (5-7, 1-1) tallied the first singles result and evened the match at 1-1 when Mercedes Cobos picked up a win at the No. 3 position. Durcakova, battling flu-like symptoms, fell to Cobos 6-4 in the first set and trailed in the 1-0 in the second before her illness caused her to retire. The Owls also took the No. 4 singles match in three sets.

"We need everyone to be at her best tomorrow," Puebla said. "We will face a Mercer team that is always strong, and a win tomorrow is very important for us."

The Lady Ospreys' current eight-match winning streak ties the 2007 squad's streak for the longest in more than a decade. UNF will try for its ninth win in a row when it takes on Mercer at 11 a.m. Saturday at the UNF Tennis Complex.