WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – The Ursinus College women's tennis team closed out its spring break trip grand style Thursday, capping a 4-0 Florida swing with a 7-2 victory over Lake Forest in a matchup of regionally ranked squads.
Ursinus (4-1), ranked 16th in the Atlantic South Region, ensured a happy trip home with a convincing result against a Lake Forest outfit that came in slotted 20th in the Central Region and sporting a 13-2 record.
Junior Christine Palazzolo and senior Stephanie-Jane Seabra delivered a resounding opening salvo at third doubles, an 8-0 waxing that staked the Bears to a fast start. After the Foresters equalized at first doubles, the second team of senior BreAnna Bashaw and sophomore Ariel Danziger corralled an 8-2 result to put Ursinus in front entering singles competition.
The Bears made quick work of it, piling up five straight-set wins. Palazzolo's was a double-bagel at number five, and sophomore Aileen Bevard was a 6-0, 6-3 victor at number three. Danziger clinched the match courtesy of a 6-2, 6-3 verdict at fourth singles, and Bashaw polished off her perfect week with a 6-2, 6-4 triumph on the second court.
Christi Valicenti upended sophomore Ashley Nguyen in the first flight, but Seabra closed the proceedings with a 6-2, 6-2 result at sixth singles.
Bashaw finished an unblemished 8-0 in the Sunshine State, winning all 16 sets.
After coming back to Collegeville, the Bears will open their home courts with matches against Lebanon Valley (11:00 a.m.) and Juniata (3:00 p.m.) on Saturday, March 19.
Coaches Corner
"I felt coming into this spring break trip that the girls had made some real strides in February," head coach Pete Smith said. "They were working hard and really showing improvement, particularly on the doubles courts. But frankly, I did not see an undefeated spring break trip coming. To go 4-0 and finish with a big win over a regionally ranked team was really special, and it capped off a great week. I am very excited to see what the rest of the season has in store for this team."