TAMPA, Fla. (March 12, 2024) – The ETSU women's tennis team picked up a win over a ranked opponent on Tuesday as it defeated No. 63 USF by a score of 4-3. With Tuesday's victory, the Buccaneers boost their record to 8-5.
 
Tuesday's win over the Bulls marks the fourth time in the last five seasons that the Bucs have knocked off a ranked team. ETSU's other recent ranked wins are No. 45 Appalachian State in 2020, No. 52 Charlotte in 2022, and No. 72 Yale last spring.
 
ETSU jumped out to an early 1-0 lead on the Bulls by securing the doubles point. The Bucs and Bulls split the first two matches that finished but Ralitsa Alexandrova and Jana Rovira clinched the point for the Bucs with a 6-4 win.
 
In singles action, nationally-ranked USF made a comeback. Daniela Rivera and Alexandrova both won their singles contests but the Bulls were able to tie the overall score at 3-3. Alessandra Caceres, however, broke the tie with a three-set win (6-3, 3-6, 6-3) to give the Bucs the victory. The win is also ETSU's third straight and its seventh in the last eight matches.
 
Singles Competition
1. Grace Schumacher (USF) def. Sofia Markova (ETSU) 7-6 (7-3), 6-4
2. Nadja Bay Christians (USF) def. Fernanda Carvajal (ETSU) 6-3, 7-5
3. Daniela Rivera (ETSU) def. Melisa Senli (USF) 6-2, 6-4
4. Marta Falceto Font (USF) def. Jana Rovira (ETSU) 6-3, 6-4
5. Alessandra Caceres (ETSU) def. Gargi Pawar (USF) 6-3, 3-6, 6-3
6. Ralitsa Alexandrova (ETSU) def. Ireland Simme (USF) 6-3, 6-0
 
Doubles Competition
1. Fernanda Carvajal/Daniela Rivera (ETSU) def. Nadja Bay Christians/Grace Schumacher (USF) 6-3
2. Marta Falceto Font/Ireland Simme (USF) def. Sofia Markova/Alessandra Caceres (ETSU) 6-0
3. Ralitsa Alexandrova/Jana Rovira (ETSU) def. Melisa Senli/Kelly Vargas (USF) 6-4

ETSU will have another opportunity to knock off a ranked opponent on Friday when it visits No. 28 FIU. First serve for that contest is set for Noon.  
 
For more information on Buccaneer women's tennis, visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the women's tennis tab.