Eckerd Takes Home Opener, 5-2

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Eckerd women's tennis team opened up the season with a 5-2 victory over Florida National University at the Fred Bullard Courts on Thursday afternoon.

The Tritons (1-0) beat the Conquistadors after earning the doubles point and taking four singles matches.

Eckerd nearly swept the double's point, going 2-1 in doubles play. Kylie Misdorp and Maya Soligo almost shutout Nadia Abad and Vanessa Simone in the No. 2 spot, taking the set 6-1. Ericka Chavarria and Catherine Cole secured the doubles point for the Tritons in tiebreak, defeating Celeste Deniz Reyes and Natalia Calvo 7-6 (7-3). Freshmen Olivia Lindestaf and Maialen Idiakez battled hard in the three's spot, but fell in tiebreak 7-6 (8-6). 

The top three flights for the Tritons secured Eckerd's victory after doubles play. Misdorp made quick work of Krykunenko, defeating her 6-1 in straight sets. Chavarria followed up with a long-fought second set, defeating Calvo 6-2, 7-6 (7-2) in the No. 2 position. Lindestaf clinched the match for the Tritons with her first career singles point 6-2, 7-6 (7-2). Soligo grinded out a three-set victory for Eckerd's fifth point, coming from behind to take the match 3-6, 7-5, 10-7. Idiakez nearly picked up her first collegiate singles point, but dropped the tiebreak 12-10 after coming from behind to win set two 6-4.

The Tritons are back at home on Saturday to face Bethune-Cookman (Fla.) at 1:00 PM at the Bullard Courts. 

Singles competition 

1. Kylie Misdorp (ECW) def. Karyna Krykunenko (FNU-W) 6-1, 6-1
2. Ericka Chavarria (ECW) def. Natalia Calvo (FNU-W) 6-2, 7-6 (7-2)
3. Olivia Lindestaf (ECW) def. Vanessa Simone (FNU-W) 7-6 (8-6), 6-3
4. Nadia Abad (FNU-W) def. Julia Triska (ECW) 6-1, 6-0
5. Maya Soligo (ECW) def. Celeste Deniz Reyes (FNU-W) 3-6, 7-5, 10-7
6. Chaiara Fiorenza (FNU-W) def. Maialen Idiakez (ECW) 1-6, 6-4, 12-10

Doubles competition 

1. Ericka Chavarria/Catherine Cole (ECW) def. Celeste Deniz Reyes/Natalia Calvo (FNU-W) 7-6 (7-3)
2. Kylie Misdorp/Maya Soligo (ECW) def. Nadia Abad/Vanessa Simone (FNU-W) 6-1
3. Karyna Krykunenko/Chaiara Fiorenza (FNU-W) def. Olivia Lindestaf/Maialen Idiakez (ECW) 7-6 (8-6)