GAINSVILLE, Fla. – Cal State Fullerton fought hard, but wasn't able to hang with No. 3 Florida, as the defending champions took down the Titans 4-0, Saturday morning in the opening round of the ITA Kickoff Weekend.
At No. 2 doubles spot, the tandem of Genevieve Zeidan and Makiba Makabo took on the pair of Josie Kuhlman and McCartney Kessler and were defeated 6-1. Meanwhile, at No. 1 doubles, Karla Portalatin and Sarah Nuno struggled to secure a point as they too fell to Anna Danilina and Victoria Emma 6-4. Danielle Pham and Jadie Acidera took on Katie Kubicz and Peggy Porter but did not finish because the Gators had already secured the doubles point.
Singles play proved to be a struggle as well, as Zeidan took on the No. 8 ranked Anna Danilina at No. 1 singles. Danilina defeated Zeidan 6-1, 6-3 and earned the first singles point for the Gators. Danielle Pham faced off against Peggy Porter and dropped the match 6-0, 6-2 on court six. Match point was decided minutes later when Sarah Nuno lost to #30 Josie Kuhlman, 6-0, 6-3 on court four. The season opener for Florida proved to be a good one as they took down Fullerton 4-0.
The following matches were not finished due to Florida clinching the victory. Karla Portalatin vs. Josie Kuhlman, Luxizi Meng vs. McCartney Kessler, Caisey Lee Emery vs. Kate Kubicz.
The Titans will face off against Marshall in a consolation match on Sunday beginning at 7:00 a.m. PT.
Doubles
#1 – Anna Danilina / Victoria Emma (UF) def. Karla Portalatin / Sarah Nuno(CSF) – 6-4
#2 – Josie Kuhlman / McCartney Kessler (UF) def. Masako Makiba / Genevieve Zeidan (CSF) – 6-1
#3 – Peggy Porter / Katie Kubicz vs Danielle Pham / Acidera – DNF, 4-3
Florida won Doubles Point
Order of Finish: 2, 1
Singles
#1 – #8 Anna Danilina def. #103 Genevieve Zeidan – 6-1, 6-3
#2 – #30 Josie Kuhlman def. Sarah Nuno – 6-0, 6-3*
#3 – Victoria Emma def. Karla Portalatin – DNF, 5-7, 2-2
#4 – McCartney Kessler vs Luxizi Meng – DNF, 6-2, 4-4
#5 – Katie Kubicz vs Caisey Lee Emery – DNF, 6-7, 0-0
#6 – Peggy Porter def. Danielle Pham – 6-0, 6-2
Order of Finish: 1, 6, 2*
*Clinched Victory
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