JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Ospreys made it three wins in a row at home to start the 2019 season, downing Mercer 5-2 at the UNF Tennis Complex Friday, February 8.

UNF (3-1) dispatched Mercer (2-7) in doubles, sweeping the three matches. Mariotto and Paula Melilo worked their first doubles victory as a pair at number-three doubles, while Rafaela Gomez and Constanza Gorches grinded out their fifth victory at the number one slot.

Mercer took the final two singles matches, both of which went to three sets, but not before UNF took the first four. Junior Lucia Montano continued her strong start to the season by rolling past Celine Schepers at number-two singles. Florencia Rossi followed suit with a 6-1, 6-2 win prior to Paula Melilo's match-clinching 6-2, 6-3 triumph against Maeva Roquebert.

Freshman Sean Lodzki won her first match as an Osprey, taking down Anna Sovic 6-2, 7-6 (7-4) at number five. The Bears got the final two points of the day, winning in three sets at number three and one singles.

Cobra's Comments:
"Mercer is a very scrappy team and they're resilient out on the court, so I'm pleased with how we stuck with our game plan throughout the day. I was encouraged by how we started the match, sweeping doubles play, and I'm excited to carry that into our match at Florida State tomorrow." -- Head coach Mariana Cobra.

Notes:

• The Ospreys improve to 10-0 against its former ASUN foe.
• UNF is 16-5 in its last 21 matches at home.
• Montano improves to 6-4 overall and 4-0 when playing in singles during dual competition
• The doubles duo of Rafaela Gomez and Constanza Gorches improved to a team best 5-2.

 
Singles
1. Kate Sidor (MER) def. Rafaela Gomez (UNF) 6-3, 2-6, 1-0 (10-6)
2. Lucia Montano (UNF) def. Celine Schepers (MER) 6-1, 6-0
3. Alara Hollyfield (MER) def. Valentina Mariotto (UNF) 6-2, 2-6, 1-0 (10-8)
4. Ana Paula Melilo (UNF) def. Maeva Roquebert (MER) 6-2, 6-3
5. Sean Lodzki (UNF) def. Anna Sovic (MER) 6-2, 7-6 (7-4)
6. Florencia Rossi (UNF) def. Christie Cesarini (MER) 6-1, 6-2

Doubles
1. Constanza Gorches/Gomez (UNF) def. Kate Sidor/Celine Schepers (MER) 6-4
2. Mariotto/Paula Melilo (UNF) def. Gutierrez/Sovic (MER) 6-3
3. Montano/Rossi (UNF) def. Hollyfield/Roquebert (MER) 6-2

Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (2,6,4,5,3,1)
Time: 2:27
Attendance: 64

Up Next:
It's a quick turnaround for UNF as it heads to No. 20 Florida State for a 3 p.m. first serve tomorrow.