MIAMI SHORES, Fla. – Karina Goia remained unbeaten, and Linda Fritschken keeps getting the desired result during a stretch when she’s faced top opponent after top opponent. In the process, Barry’s No. 4-ranked women’s tennis team kept rolling, following Thursday’s win over NAIA No. 2 Auburn Montgomery, 7-2.
Goia beat Chanel Cunningham, 6-2, 6-1, at No. 3 singles to remain perfect this year at 12-0.
“I feel my game better,” Goia said. “I didn’t feel my game before because I was pushing it. Now I’m starting to play better.”
Fritschken, ranked 19th in NCAA Division II, beat her second top 3-ranked opponent in an eight-day span after dispatching No. 2 Tiffany William, 6-3, 6-1, at No. 2 singles. Last week, she beat the third-ranked singles player in Division II in Abilene, Texas.
“When I became too defensive, she became more aggressive,” Fritschken said of William. “On the one hand, I had to play with more patience, but not too defensive. I'm happy because my opponents have become stronger. I have to be more focused. I become stronger when my opponents are stronger.”
Akemi Maehama had command of her game in a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Maria Vargas at No. 4 singles. Isabela Miro used steady, poised tennis to defeat Hagar Caro, 6-3, 6-2, at No. 5 singles. Kimmy Twelker picked up a forfeit win at No. 6 singles when the Warhawks did not field an opponent in that flight.
The Buccaneers 18th-ranked tandem of Fritschken and Miro overpowered Cunningham and Caro, 8-1, at the No. 2 doubles flight. Maehama and Goia picked up a forfeit win at No. 3 pair when the Warhawks forfeited that spot.
Barry’s No. 1 doubles team of Elisabeth Abanda and Emma Onila dropped their match to Jade Curtis and Tiffany William, 8-5. Onila lost to the No. 1-ranked singles player in NAIA, battling Curtis through three sets before succumbing, 4-6, 6-1, 14-12.
The Buccaneers will host Division II newcomer Oklahoma Christian at 10 a.m. Sunday. The Bucs also play Division I Rutgers at 3 p.m. Sunday at Buccaneer Tennis Center.
