The University of Central Florida won its first USTA Florida “Tennis on Campus” club title over the weekend at the Florida Atlantic University-hosted FAU Burrow Brawl, in the final topping the University of Miami 25-22.
In the Gold Bracket final UCF won only two of the five matches, the women’s and men’s singles, but in the end won the match on total points.
Gold Bracket Final Results:
Women’s Doubles: UM (Daniela Gonzalez/Chole Decker) d. UCF (Natalia Illuzzi/Nila Illuzzi) 6-5
Men’s Doubles: UM (Niles Ghatfer/Beltran Moreno) d. UCF (Taylor Streda/Michael Mendez) 6-4
Women’s Singles: UCF (Ilana Gomez-Diaz) d. UM (Natalie Sinai) 6-2
Men’s Singles: UCF (Jonathan Dzhung) d. UM (Mateus Fairbairn subbed in Beltran Moreno) 6-1
Mixed Doubles: UM (Niles Ghatfer/Daniela Gonzalez) d. UCF (Natalia Illuzzi/Jonathan Dzhung) 6-3
The champion UCF team advanced to the final by defeating the UM-“B” team in the semifinals, while UM-“A” gained the final by beating the Florida Gulf Coast University-“A” team in their semifinal.
The Nova Southeastern University-“A” team won the Silver Bracket, their first-ever Silver Bracket victory, with a 28-10 victory over the FGCU-“B” team in the final. Sixteen teams from seven schools competed over the weekend: UCF, UM, NSU, FGCU, FAU, Lynn University and the University of North Florida.
It was the second event on the 2019-20 USTA Florida “Tennis on Campus” schedule after the University of Florida won their home UF Gatorbowl tournament in Gainesville on Sept. 14.
“The Burrow Brawl was the first time FAU has hosted a tournament in four seasons,” said USTA Florida Adult Team Play Manager Desirae McLaughlin.
The next event on the 2019-20 USTA Florida “Tennis on Campus” schedule will be the Florida State University-hosted FSU Battle in the Capital on Oct. 5 in Tallahassee.
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 Battle in the Capital, Tallahassee
Oct. 26 — USF Bull Run, Tampa
Nov. 9 — FGCU Dirty Bird Classic, Ft. Myers
Nov. 16 — UCF Knightro Cup, Orlando
Jan. 12 — University of North Florida, Jacksonville
Jan. 25 — UM Ibis Open, Key Biscayne (tentative)
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.
