The Stetson women's tennis team improved to 2-0 with a win over Florida Gulf Coast, ranked #15 nationally in NCAA Division II. Catherine Canady continued her superb start with doubles and singles wins Sunday at the Mandy Stoll Tennis Center.
“We were happy to host Florida Gulf Coast today, as they are joining the conference next year,” said head coach Sasha Schmid.
FGCU came out hot, winning the doubles point by taking two of the three matches. Canady and Anna Leonenko took the #2 competition, 8-4. The duo's only loss this year remains at nationally-ranked Florida.
Though the doubles competition did not go as the Hatters had hoped, Stetson bounced back in a big way to sweep the six singles matches.
“I was happy with the way the team responded in their singles play after losing the doubles,” said Schmid. “Today we had all five freshmen in the match, so it was great to have all of them gain valuable match experience today.”
Canady spun through her #5 match with a 6-3, 6-2 win. All singles winners took their matches in straight sets. Valentina Galbarina made her 2007 debut and shut down D-II's #34-ranked player Maria Maggiorini, 7-5, 6-4.
“Catherine Canady had another great performance,” said Schmid.
The Hatters improve to 2-1 on the year, while FGCU drops to 0-1.
“Overall it was a good match to help get the team prepared for our first A-Sun conference match.”
Stetson and UNF will tangle in their first conference matches Thursday at 2:00 p.m. in Jacksonville.
Results
Florida Gulf Coast vs Stetson University
2/4/2007 at DeLand, Fla.
Stetson University 6, Florida Gulf Coast 1
Singles competition
1. GALBARINA, Valentina (STET) def. MAGGIORINI, Maria (FGCU) 7-5, 6-4
2. ATKINSON, Breanna (STET) def. SATTARI, Pernille (FGCU) 6-3, 6-0
3. NOWICKI, Katherine (STET) def. POLULAK, Krista (FGCU) 6-3, 6-1
4. LEONENKO, Anna (STET) def. KINLEY, Brett (FGCU) 7-5, 6-2
5. CANADY, Catherine (STET) def. DIAZ GALINO, Lydia (FGCU) 6-3, 6-2
6. GORHAM, Natalie (STET) def. PASSOLT, Lesley (FGCU) 6-1, 6-2
Doubles competition
1. BRANIEKA, Maria/HILEMAN, Jonalea (FGCU) def. ATKINSON, Breanna/GALBARINA, Valentina (STET) 9-8 (7-5)
2. LEONENKO, Anna/CANADY, Catherine (STET) def. MAGGIORINI, Maria/POLULAK, Krista (FGCU) 8-4
3. KINLEY, Brett/SATTARI, Pernille (FGCU) def. PALMIOTTO, Daniella/NOWICKI, Katherine (STET) 8-6
Match Notes:
Florida Gulf Coast 0-1
Stetson University 2-1
