AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University women's tennis team resumed their winning ways on Monday afternoon, cruising past the Florida National University Conquistadors, 7-0, at the AMU Tennis Facility. The win marked the second victory in a row for the Gyrenes over the Conquistadors, dating back to a 5-1 home victory last season. AMU won eight of the nine matches on the day, and moved to 5-3 on the season with the win.
The Gyrenes won two of the three doubles match, with two decisive wins giving the doubles point to AMU. The nationally ranked duo of Lara Teodoro and Julia Candiotto rolled to a 6-1 victory at the number one position, and the number three team of Katie Fuller and Aethielle Kelkboom swept their opponent, 6-0. The lone victory on the day for FNU came from the team of Daniela Millan and Michell Hurtado, who beat Gabrielle Benn and Kely Oliveira, 6-2.
AMU's top three players provided the first three points of singles play, clinching the match for the Gyrenes. Number three player Gabrielle Benn dominated her match with a 6-1, 6-0 victory, while Julia Candiotto added a 6-3, 6-2 win at the number two position. Lara Teodoro clinched the match for the Gyrenes with yet another win at the number one spot. The junior claimed the opening set 7-5 before giving AMU their fourth point of the day with a 6-2 win in the second set.
In the final three matches of the afternoon, the Gyrenes surrendered just four total points, all at the number four position. Kelkboom defeated her opponent, 6-2, to give AMU another point at the number four spot. In the fifth and sixth positions, Kely Oliveira and Katie Fuller both completely swept their opponents to the tune of 6-0, 6-0 victories.
AMU's final match of the week will come on Wednesday afternoon against an NCAA Division III opponent. The Gyrenes will travel to the USTA National Campus in Orlando for a meeting with Bethel University from Minnesota. AMU's final match against an opponent from outside The Sun Conference is scheduled for an opening serve time of 1:00 p.m.
