FORT MYERS, Fla. – Freshman
Anjali Kotecha battled through three grueling sets to clinch the match for Florida Gulf Coast University's women's tennis team as the Eagles defeated the University of South Florida 4-3 Friday evening.
All the action took place at the FGCU Tennis Complex as fans eagerly looked on to see which Sunshine State University would prevail victoriously. It's the third time in school history that the Green & Blue has defeated the Bulls in 15 matchups.
All three victories are under head coach
Courtney Vernon, who played for South Florida.
"The ladies competed very hard today, and that was a team effort," Vernon said. "A special congratulations to the freshman Angie for clinching the match; she was extremely brave."
The Eagles wasted no time in doubles as
Paloma Goldsmith and
Nora Svensson teamed up and delivered an easy 6-1 victory on court No. 2.
Francisca Vergara and Kotecha followed along, winning 6-3 on court No. 3 and clinched the doubles point for FGCU.
The Eagles continued to dominate in singles as Svensson ran away with a 6-0, 6-1 win on court No. 6 to give the Eagles a 2-0 advantage.
The Bulls were finally able to get on the scoreboard as Gabriels Macias dropped her match 6-3, 6-2 on court No. 5.
Isabella Colmenares pushed the Eagles lead to 3-1 with a 6-4, 7-6 (4) showing on court No. 2 over Sienna Leeson.
USF did not back down that easily and Melisa Senli rallied through three sets to defeat FGCU's No. 1 player,
Ashley Matz 7-5, 1-6, 6-2. Immediately after, Vergara fell 7-5, 7-6 (4) on court No. 3 to tie the match 3-3.
With the sun beaming on court No. 4, Kotecha remained locked in the match that would decide the fate of her team and pushed through to win 6-2, 6-7 (4), 6-3.
The Eagles will remain home and welcome Barry University for a scrimmage on Feb. 16 at 1 p.m.
FGCU 4, USF 3
Doubles Competition
1. Sienna Leeson/Margherita Marcon (USF) def.
Isabella Colmenares/Ashley Matz (FGCU) 7-6 (7-3)
2.
Paloma Goldsmith/Nora Svensson (FGCU) def. Kelly Vargas/Karine Kulidjian (USF) 6-1
3.
Francisca Vergara/Anjali Kotecha (FGCU) def. Melisa Senli/Charlotte Ruud (USF) 6-3
Singles Competition
1. Melisa Senli (USF) def.
Ashley Matz (FGCU) 7-5, 1-6, 6-2
2.
Isabella Colmenares (FGCU) def. Sienna Leeson (USF) 6-4, 7-6 (7-4)
3. Margherita Marcon (USF) def.
Francisca Vergara (FGCU) 7-5, 7-6 (7-4)
4.
Anjali Kotecha (FGCU) def. Charlotte Ruud (USFW) 6-2, 6-7 (4-7), 6-3
5. Kelly Vargas (USF) def.
Gabriela Macias (FGCU) 6-3, 6-2
6.
Nora Svensson (FGCU) def. Gargi Pawar (USF) 6-0, 6-1
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3,1); Singles (6,5,2,1,3,4)
