The University of Central Florida club tennis team won its second USTA Florida “Tennis on Campus” title over the weekend, defeating the University of Tampa 29-14 in the Gold Bracket final of the FGCU Dirty Bird Classic, hosted by Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, Fla.
It was the second title of the season for UCF after it claimed the FAU Burrow Brawl crown in September in Boca Raton. UCF keeps pace with the University of Florida which also has two titles thus far in the 2019-20 season.
Gold Final: UCF-“A” d. UT-“A” 29-14
Women’s Doubles: Natalia Illuzzi/Erika Burke (UCF) d. Bri Civiero/Olivia Rivas 6-2
Men’s Doubles: Nico Macedo/Van Fairbanks (UT) d. Michael Mendez/Jason Hsieh 6-5
Women’s Singles: Erika Burke (UCF) d. Olivia Rivas 6-1
Men’s Singles: Charlie Pittman (UCF) d. Nico Macedo 6-3
Mixed Doubles: Natalia Illuzzi/ Michael Mendez (UCF) d. Bri Civiero/Van Fairbanks 6-2
The FGCU-“C” team won the Silver Bracket, in the final defeating the UT-“C” squad 26-15.
Twelve teams competed from five schools: FGCU, UCF, UT, Lynn and Nova.
The next event on the 2019-20 USTA Florida “Tennis on Campus” schedule will be the UCF Knightro Cup in Orlando on Nov. 16.
USTA Florida “Tennis on Campus” 2019-20 tournament schedule:
Sept. 14 — UF Gatorbowl, Gainesville (Final: UF-“A” d. UM-“A”)
Sept. 28 — FAU Burrow Brawl, Boca Raton (Final: UCF-“A” d. UM-“A”)
Oct. 5 — FSU Clash at the Capital, Tallahassee (Final: UF-“A” d. FSU-“A”)
Oct. 26 — USF Bull Run, Tampa (Final: UM-“A” d. UF-“A”)
Nov. 2 — FGCU Dirty Bird Classic, Ft. Myers (Final: UCF-“A” d. UT-“A”)
Nov. 16 — UCF Knightro Cup, Orlando
Jan. 11 — University of North Florida, Jacksonville
Jan. 18 — UM Ibis Open, Key Biscayne
Feb. 1 — Hillsborough Community College, Tampa
Feb. 15 — Delray Beach Open “Tennis on Campus” Challenge
Feb. 22 — USTA Florida Tennis on Campus Section Championships
About USTA Tennis On Campus
The USTA’s Tennis On Campus program is designed to provide college students with opportunities for team camaraderie, social networking, and rivaled competition through tennis without the rigors of a NCAA varsity program. Tennis on Campus offers fun co-ed team-based play (using the World TeamTennis scoring format), regional and national championship competition, and helps students maintain active and healthy lifestyles through their college years. Currently the program is offered on more than 500 college campuses. The USTA Tennis on Campus team format features men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles and mixed doubles, with a minimum of two men and two women per team.
For more information on the USTA Florida Tennis on Campus series, to see team results or to start a team, go to www.ustaflorida.com/TOC, or contact Desirae McLaughlin at toc@ustaflorida.com.
