The No. 8 Florida women’s tennis team opened the ITA National Team Indoor Championships Friday morning with a 4-0 victory over Brigham Young at Linder Stadium/Ring Tennis Complex.
Florida (3-0) was scheduled to play No. 31 FIU (3-0) Saturday at 2 p.m. in the second round, but because of weather concerns, the match probably would be pushed back in order for the men’s ITA opening-round matches could be played. The consolation match between BYU and No. 22 Southern Methodist would follow the women’s second-round match. The winner of the second-round match between Florida and FIU advances to the round of 16 at the ITA National Team Indoor Championships Feb. 12-15 at the Nielsen Tennis Stadium in Madison, Wis.
“BYU is the best team we’ve faced to this point in the season,” Florida coach Roland Thornqvist said. “I thought we were pushed at one and two singles more than we have been so far, which is good for us. The team we play next (FIU) is going to be even tougher.”
Florida started quickly, winning the doubles point in 30 minutes. The Gators’ No. 1 tandem of Marrit Boonstra and Allie Will upset 18th-ranked MaCall Jones and Megan Price, 8-1, just moments before the Gators’ Caroline Hitimana and Joanna Mather blanked Chie Hayasaka and Aubrey Paul, 8-0.
“I think we have good chemistry on the court,” Boonstra shared. “I like to play with Allie because we both come to the net. I think it’s going to work out great this season.”
The Gators won the first set on all six singles court, with Anastasia Revzina, Hitimana and Boonstra able to clock in straight-set victories to secure the 4-0 team win.
Revzina was the first Gator off the singles court, defeating Liza Ezhova, 6-1, 6-2, in 48 minutes at the No. 4 position to give Florida a 2-0 lead. Hitimana won the first 10 games on way to a 6-0, 6-1 victory over Megan Price. Boonstra then followed with a 6-0, 6-2 victory against Chie Hayasaka at the No. 3 spot in 59 minutes.
Friday’s win extended the Gators’ program-record overall win streak to 69 consecutive, while also marking UF’s 80th straight regular-season home victory.
ITA WOMEN’S KICK-OFF CLASSIC
First round at Linder Stadium/Ring Tennis Complex, Gainesville, Fla.
No. 8 FLORIDA 4, BRIGHAM YOUNG 0
Double
1. Marrit Boonstra/Allie Will (F) def. (18) MaCall Jones/Megan Price, 8-1; 2. Kristina Doerr/Romina Nedakovic (BYU) led Lauren Embree/Anastasia Revzina (F), 5-4, did not finish; 3. Carolina Hitimana/Joanna Mather (F) def. Chie Havasaka/Aubrey Paul, 8-0. Order of finish: 1, 3.
Singles
1. (15) Lauren Embree (F) led (54) MaCall Jones (BYU), 7-6 (4), did not finish; 2. (13) Allie Will (F) led Kristina Doerr (BYU), 6-1, 3-3, did not finish; 3. (81) Marrit Boonstra (F) def. Chie Havasaka, 6-0, 6-2; 4. (92) Anastasia Revzina (F) def. Liza Ezhova, 6-1, 6-2; 5. Caroline Hitimana (F) def. Megan Price, 6-0, 6-1; 6. Claire Bartlett (F) led Romina Nedakovic (BYU), 6-0, 3-4, did not finish. Order of finish: 4, 5, 3.
Records: Florida 3-0, Brigham Young 1-2.
No. 31 FIU 4, No. 22 SOUTHERN METHODIST 2
Doubles
1. Liset Brito/Priscilla Castillo (FIU) def. (30) Marta Lesniak/Aleksandra Malyarchikova, 8-1; 2. Pavi Francis/Shahzoda Hatamova (SMU) tied Mariana Muci/Maria Spenceley (FIU), 6-6, did not finish; 3 Maria Pazo/Maria Vallasciani (FIU) def. Casey Kennedy/Sophie Quist, 9-7. Order of finish: 1, 3.
Singles
1. Liset Brito (FIU) led (30) Marta Lesniak (SMU), 7-6 (6), 2-6, 4-3, did not finish; 2. (76) Aleksandra Malyarchikova (SMU) def Mariana Muci, 4-6, 6-1, 6-3; 3. Chrissie Seredni (FIU) def. Pavi Francis, 1-6, 6-2, 6-4; 4. Shahzoda Hatamova (SMU) def. Maria Spenceley, 6-2, 6-0; 5. Priscilla Castillo (FIU) d. Casey Kennedy, 6-2, 6-2; 6. Maria Vallasciani (FIU) def. Sophie Quist, 6-1, 6-1. Order of finish: 6, 5, 4, 2, 3.
Records: Southern Methodist 4-1, FIU 3-0.