WINTER PARK, Fla. – The Tars hosted the Varner Double Dual on the Lake this past weekend, welcoming New College of Florida, Southeastern, and Eastern Florida State to Winter Park for three days of round-robin play.
The Tars rolled through Friday's doubles action against New College of Florida.
Amina Taibi and
Paloma Goldsmith paired up at line one, earning a 6-2 win over Chellas and Ichim.
Lorin Tilipman and
Angeles Rodriguez-Rizo were the duo on the second court, rolling to a 6-1 win to help secure the point.
Delilah Kuronen and
Charlotte Tait completed the doubles sweep, taking down Adekunle and Griffin 6-2.
Taibi played at one for the Tars, defeating Chellas in a third-set super tiebreak. Taibi dropped a close first set 4-6 before rallying back to flip the score in her favor, 6-4, and force the breaker. She carried the momentum into a 10-6 victory to secure the line.
At two, Tilipman battled for a 6-3 opening-set win before cruising through the second 6-1. Goldsmith took line three 6-1, 6-1, while Kuronen followed a similar path at four, taking her match 6-3, 6-1. Five and six both breezed through to complete the sweep for the Tars, with Rodriguez-Rizo and Tait each securing quick 6-1, 6-0 victories at their respective lines.
On Saturday, the women faced off with Eastern Florida State, with the Titans having just four available players for the match. Rollins rolled through doubles, as Goldsmith and Tilipman teamed up at one to secure a 6-1 victory, while Rodriguez-Rizo and Taibi did the same at two. The Tars faced off against one another on the third doubles court, with Kuronen and Sanchez taking down Tait and Abdulloeva 6-3.
In singles, Ponochovna bested Tilipman at line one to earn a point for EFSC, 6-1, 6-4. Rollins found wins across the other courts, beginning with Goldsmith at two, who took down Wheeler 6-4, 6-2. Rodriguez-Rizo played three, breezing to a 6-1, 6-2 victory.
Kuronen helped secure another win for the Tars at four. After dropping a first-set tiebreak 6-7 (2), she battled back with a dominant 6-1 second set before staying steady in the super tiebreak to take it 11-9. The fifth singles court featured Rollins' Tait and Sanchez, with Tait earning the 6-4, 6-2 victory.
On Sunday, the Tars began their final match of the weekend against Southeastern. The Fire snagged the first two doubles courts, defeating Taibi and Tilipman 7-5 at one and Kuronen and Rodriguez-Rizo 6-3 at two. Goldsmith and Tait found the win at three, however, cruising to a 6-1 victory.
Singles play began as dark skies started to roll in over Winter Park. Dodooglu of Southeastern earned a 6-4, 6-2 win over Tilipman at one. Goldsmith pulled out a close opening set at three, 7-5, before taking control of the second 6-1. Rodriguez-Rizo also kept rolling, cruising to a 6-0, 6-2 victory at four.
Those would be the only three singles matches to finish, however, as weather moved into the area and brought the final dual of the weekend to an early end.
"We saw a lot of great things from our team throughout competition this weekend," said head coach
Tasi Purcell Batista. "The hard work and dedication they have put in were evident in how prepared they were to take on challenging matches. It was exciting to see that effort translate into progress and results.
"We also know that this is a critical time to keep pushing forward. Just because our fall competition season has come to an end doesn't mean the work stops here. This is an opportunity to keep developing our skills, strengthening our teamwork, and preparing for what comes next.
"I am incredibly proud of this team and the progress they have made. We have a strong foundation to build on, and I am excited to see what we can accomplish together in the months ahead!"
