The North Florida Women’s Tennis team has extended its perfect start to the season, maintaining a flawless record after a commanding 5-0 victory over South Alabama. The Ospreys improved to 21-0 overall during a neutral site clash held Saturday at the FGCU Tennis Complex in Fort Myers, Fla.
The victory serves as a significant milestone for a squad that has demonstrated remarkable consistency across both doubles and singles play. By securing a clean sweep, North Florida continues to establish itself as a dominant force in collegiate tennis, leveraging a deep roster to overwhelm opponents regardless of the venue.
The match was defined by an efficient start in the doubles rotation and a relentless push on the singles courts, leaving the South Alabama Jaguars unable to locate a foothold in the contest. The Ospreys’ ability to close out matches quickly allowed them to maintain a high level of momentum throughout the afternoon.
Establishing Early Momentum in Doubles
North Florida set the tone immediately during the doubles portion of the event. The pairing of senior Laurie Barendse and graduate student Isabel Oliveira provided an early spark at the one line, delivering a 6-2 win that signaled the Ospreys’ intent for the day.
The team further solidified its lead at the three line, where senior Jasmin Makela and sophomore Gabby Goyins displayed clinical precision. The duo dropped only a single game throughout their set, securing a 6-1 victory and earning the critical doubles point for North Florida.
Even as the doubles point provided a psychological advantage, the Ospreys transitioned that energy seamlessly into the singles phase, where the depth of their lineup became the deciding factor.
Clinical Execution on the Singles Courts
The transition to singles play saw North Florida waste little time in expanding their lead. Isabel Oliveira continued her strong form from the doubles match, moving to the two line to secure a 6-4, 6-3 victory, which pushed the overall match lead to 2-0.
Sophomore Aryana Bartlett followed suit at the three line, maintaining the pressure with a steady performance. Bartlett’s 6-2, 6-3 win in straight sets extended the lead to 3-0, effectively putting the match out of reach for South Alabama.
Not every victory came without a struggle, however. Laurie Barendse faced a stiff challenge at the one line, finding herself trailing 5-3 in the opening set. In a display of resilience, Barendse fought back to claim the first set 7-5 before completing the match with a 6-4 win in the second.
The final blow came via graduate student Anslee Long at the six line. After a tightly contested first set that ended 7-6, Long dominated the second 6-2. In a rare synchronized finish, Barendse and Long reached match point simultaneously, officially sealing the 5-0 sweep for the Ospreys.
Match Results Summary
| Category | UNF Player(s) | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doubles 1 | Barendse/Oliveira | Rovira/Maeda | 6-2 (W) |
| Singles 1 | Laurie Barendse | Rio Maeda | 7-5, 6-4 (W) |
| Singles 2 | Isabel Oliveira | C. Tchanichev | 6-4, 6-3 (W) |
| Singles 3 | Aryana Bartlett | Manal Ennaciri | 6-2, 6-3 (W) |
| Singles 6 | Anslee Long | Kenza Elakili | 7-6, 6-2 (W) |
Implications for the Undefeated Run
Remaining undefeated at 21-0 is a rare feat that places immense pressure on a team to maintain its standard of play. For North Florida, this victory over South Alabama—who entered the match with a respectable 10-4 record—demonstrates their ability to handle competitive opponents on neutral ground.
The Ospreys’ strategy of utilizing a mix of experienced graduate students and emerging sophomores has created a balanced lineup that is difficult to break. The simultaneous match points at the conclude of the day highlighted a collective synchronization that has turn into a hallmark of their season.
Because the overall match was decided by the victories on other courts, the matches involving May Fadida and Gabby Goyins remained unfinished. Fadida was locked in a third-set battle at 1-1 after splitting the first two sets, while Goyins had just won a second-set surge 6-0 after losing the first 4-6.
As the North Florida Women’s Tennis team remains undefeated, the focus now shifts toward the conclusion of the calendar year and the pursuit of a perfect regular season.
The Ospreys will travel to DeLand, Fla., for their regular-season finale. They are scheduled to face Stetson on Friday, April 10, with the match beginning at 1 p.m. ET.
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