Spartans Fall 4–3 at No. 30 Eckerd in Tight Road Battle
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The University of Tampa women's tennis team came up just short Wednesday afternoon, dropping a tightly contested 4–3 decision to No. 30 Eckerd at the Fred Bullard Courts. Tampa jumped out early with a doubles-point sweep of the first two courts and picked up two singles victories, but the Tritons edged three close singles matches to secure the win.
Final Score: No. 30 Eckerd 4, Tampa 3
Records: Eckerd (10–4), Tampa (6–13)
Location: Fred Bullard Courts | St. Petersburg, Fla.
Series History: The all‑time series between Tampa and Eckerd is now tied, 31–31.
How It Happened
Tampa set the tone in doubles, winning two of three courts to claim the opening point. Ida Axelsson and Linn Eriksson Sundling earned a 6–4 victory at No. 1, followed by a dominant 6–1 win from Nicole Casas and Karine Kulidjian at No. 2. Eckerd edged court three in a tiebreak to prevent a sweep.
In singles, the Spartans picked up wins at Nos. 2 and 3. Karine Kulidjian delivered a straight‑set win over Valentina Bronzetti, while Ida Axelsson followed with a 6–3, 6–1 decision at No. 3 to keep Tampa in front. Eckerd answered with victories at Nos. 1, 4, 5, and 6, including a pair of tight tiebreaks on court five, to clinch the match.
Doubles Results
Ida Axelsson / Linn Eriksson Sundling (Tampa) def. Olivia Lindestaf / Catherine Cole (Eckerd) 6–4
Nicole Casas / Karine Kulidjian (Tampa) def. Fiona Orza / Laura Ullrich (Eckerd) 6–1
Maialen Idiakez / Valentina Bronzetti (Eckerd) def. Sophie Wagner / Gabi Sanchez (Tampa) 7–6 (8–6)
Singles Results
Olivia Lindestaf (Eckerd) def. Linn Eriksson Sundling (Tampa) 6–3, 6–0
Karine Kulidjian (Tampa) def. Valentina Bronzetti (Eckerd) 6–4, 6–4
Ida Axelsson (Tampa) def. Fiona Orza (Eckerd) 6–3, 6–1
Maialen Idiakez (Eckerd) def. Max Lippens (Tampa) 7–5, 6–4
Catherine Cole (Eckerd) def. Alexandra Chebli (Tampa) 7–6 (7–3), 7–6 (7–3)
Laura Ullrich (Eckerd) def. Sophie Wagner (Tampa) 6–3, 3–6, 6–2
Up Next
The Spartans return home for Senior Day on April 16, hosting Ave Maria at 3:00 p.m. at the Naimoli & Young Family Tennis Complex.