UCF Wins, UF 18-Tournament Streak Ends at ‘Tennis on Campus’ Knightro Cup in Orlando

The champions from the University of Central Florida

The University of Central Florida club tennis team won its second USTA Florida “Tennis on Campus” title of the year over the weekend, in the final defeating the University of Miami 25-13 at the Knightro Cup in Orlando, hosted by UCF.

It was the same result as the season-opening UM Ibis Open in Coral Gables in September when UCF defeated UM in the final.

The runners-up from the University of Miami

The University of Florida, which was coming off a third USTA “Tennis on Campus” Fall Invitational national title a week ago where they beat defending national champion Auburn University, saw their 18-tournament win streak come to an end when they were stunned in their opening-round Gold Bracket match by Florida State University.

“Fear the Spear,” said USTA Florida TOC Coordinator Desirae McLaughlin regarding the FSU Seminoles. “UF had an amazing run, but all good things must come to an end. The event was exponentially better this year because there was no rain — last year the event had to be cancelled.”

Gold Bracket Final Results:

Final: UCF-“A” d. UM-“A” 25-13
Men’s Doubles: Miguel Carvajal/Geo Wu (UCF) d. Steven Masciale/Teddy Dunn 6-0
Women’s Doubles: Allie Linder/Eleanor Martin (UM) d. Constanza Trimarchi/Jennifer Fernandez 6-3
Men’s Singles: Sharadh Ramish (UM) d. Aiden O’Brien 6-4
Women’s Singles: Chelsea Matie (UCF) d. Allie Linder 6-1
Mixed Doubles: Miguel Carvajal/Chelsea Matie (UCF) d. Teddy Dunn/Eleanor Martin 6-0

In the Gold Bracket semifinals UM-“A” defeated FSU-“A,” and UCF-“A” defeated UCF-“B.”

The University of South Florida-“B” team defeated the Florida Gulf Coast University-“A” team 24-22 for the Silver Bracket title, and the Bronze Bracket was won by the University of North Florida-“A” team which defeated the FSU-“D” squad 29-15 in the final.

The University of Tampa also participated among eight schools and a total of 32 teams.

Next up on the Florida Tennis on Campus schedule is the FGCU Dirty Bird Classic in Ft. Myers on Nov. 19-20.

2016-17 Florida Schedule and Results:

Sept. 17-18 — UM Ibis Open, Coral Gables (FINAL: UCF-A d. UM-A)
Sept. 24-25 — UF Gatorbowl, Gainesville (FINAL: UF-A d. UF-B)
Oct. 22-23 — USF Bull Run, Tampa (FINAL: UF-A d. UM-A)
Nov. 5-6 — Knightro Cup, Orlando (FINAL: UCF-A d. UM-A)
Nov. 19-20 — FGCU Dirty Bird Classic, Ft. Myers
Jan. 28-29 — FAMU/FSU Battle in the Capital, Tallahassee
Feb. 4-5 — FAU Tournament, Boca Raton
Feb. 25-26 — 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.

The USTA Florida “Tennis on Campus” series in 2016-17 is seven regular-season tournaments leading to the year-end championships, determining which teams will advance to represent the USTA Florida Section at the USTA Tennis on Campus National Championships. Any college club team can participate with a minimum four players, two male and two female.

For more information on the USTA Florida Tennis on Campus series or to start a team at your school go to www.ustaflorida.com/TOC, or contact Desirae McLaughlin at tennisoncampusflorida@gmail.com.