(Results)
TAMPA, Fla. ( Feb. 1, 2024) – Florida National University suffered a tough loss to the University of Tampa Spartans squad on Feb. 1. The Conquistadors struggled in doubles play and failed to capture a win in singles play at the Naimoli and Young Family Tennis Complex in Tampa, Fla. The Spartans saw their season come to a close in April 2023 following a close 4-3 loss to the Lynn University Knights in the Sunshine State Conference (SSC) quarterfinals in Bradenton, Fla.
Despite a crushing loss in 2023, the Spartans looked rejuvenated on their way to three straight doubles wins to open their match against the Conquistadors. Maria Belen Mestanza and Chiara Fiorenza performed the best for FNU dropping their match against UT pair Savannah Williams and Anine Wilberg 6-3. FNU’s Celeste Deniz Reyes, Natalia Calvo, Vanessa Simone and Nadia Abad lost their respective doubles matches 6-2.
Things didn’t improve for FNU in doubles play as Mestanza and Fiorenza lost in straight sets 6-0. Notably, Simone and Abad fell 6-1, 6-1 in matches against UT’s Julie Ball and Williams, respectively.
Doubles Competition:
Number one:
Celeste Deniz Reyes / Natalia Calvo lost to Victoria Sanchez / Julie Ball (2-6)
Number two:
Vanessa Simone / Nadia Abad lost to Nicole Cierniak / Kristina Miletic (2-6)
Number three:
Maria Belen Mestanza / Chiara Fiorenza lost to Savannah Williams / Anine Wilberg (3-6)
Singles Competition:
Natalia Calvo falls to Victoria Sanchez (2-6, 2-6)
Vanessa Simone falls to Julie Ball (1-6, 0-6)
Nadia Abad falls to Savannah Williams (1-6, 0-6)
Celeste Deniz Reyes falls to Nicole Cierniak (0-6, 0-6)
Chiara Fiorenza falls to Rebecca Presley (3-6, 0-6)
Maria Belen Mestanza falls to Anine Wilberg (0-6, 0-6)
Up Next: FNU tackles Barry University on the road on Feb. 5.
