April 22, 2005

Third-seed USF pulled off a 4-1 victory over No. 6 Louisville Friday in the quarterfinals of the 2005 Conference USA Women's Tennis Championship, despite playing with one less player.

The Bulls took two of the doubles, defaulting at No. 3 en route to jumping ahead of the Cardinals, 1-0. Gabriela Duch and Neyssa Etienne of USF defeated Kelly Taylor and Natlie Laszkowski at the No. 1, 8-3, while Courtney Vernon and Liz Cruz beat Cards' team of Suzanna Gracanin and Robyn White, 8-3.

In singles action, Etienne beat Cardinal's senior Leslie Stewart, 6-2, 6-4 at the No. 1 spot, while Duch defeated U of L's Taylor, 6-2, 6-2. Also to help the Bulls, Cruz defeated Laszowski in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4. Louisville's lone point came by a singles default at the No. 6 spot.

With the win, the Bulls advance to the semifinals and will take on top-seeded Tulane on Saturday at noon (CST).

(3) USF 4 def. (6) Louisville 1

Singles
1. Neyssa Etienne, USF def. Leslie Stewart, LOU, 6-2, 6-4
2. Robyn White, LOU vs. Courtney Vernon, USF, DNF (7-6 (6), 4-1)
3. Gabriela Duch, USF def. Kelly Taylor, LOU, 6-2, 6-2
4. Liz Cruz, USF def. Natalie Laszkowski, LOU, 6-4, 6-4
5. Luisa Obando, USF vs. Suzanne Garcanin, LOU, DNF (7-6 (6), 5-1)
6. Tiffany Fox, LOU (DF)

Doubles
1. Gabriela Duch/Neyssa Etienne, USF def. Kelly Taylor/Natalie Laszkowski, LOU, 8-3
2. Courtney Vernon/Liz Cruz, USF def. Suzanne Garcanin/Robyn White, LOU, 8-3
3. Leslie Stewart/Tiffany Fox, LOU (DF)