MIAMI SHORES, Fla. -- Kimmy Twelker bore a big smile on her face. It was a good day for her and Barry's No. 5 nationally-ranked women's tennis team Sunday.
The Buccaneers took care of business, beating No. 12 Saint Leo, 9-0, at Buccaneer Tennis Center. The Lions came into the match with good momentum, having knocked off No. 4 Lynn, 5-4, a week earlier.
"I feel really good to be a Buccaneer," said Twelker after delivering two quick victories for her team against one of the better opponents Barry has seen thus far. "I'm proud of our team, and I'm proud of the way that we've played early in the season."
Twelker and Linda Fritschken ripped off an 8-1 No. 2 doubles victory over Saint Leo's Pauline Helgesson and Maria Benkirane to get the Bucs started. Twelker then made quick work of Emily Singleton, 6-1, 6-1, at No. 5 singles. Singleton entered the match ranked No. 13 in the South Region.
"I felt good, I had confidence," Twelker said. "I played for my team, and I pushed myself."
Barry's No. 1 pairs partners Elisabeth Abanda and Emma Onila held on for an 8-6 victory over Laura Kemkes and Singleton. Onila's cross-court backhand set up her forehand smash down the line as she used both sides of the court to close out the match.
Onila registered maybe the most impressive win of the day as she beat Kemkes, who entered the spring ranked 18th in the country, in straight sets, 6-1, 6-2.
The Buccaneers No. 3 duo of Karina Goia and Isabela Miro de Campos defeated Coralie Pesenti and Adrianna Daskiewicz, 8-5. Goia hit a wicked backhand into the corner to secure match point.
Goia was dominant in a 6-0, 6-0 No. 4 singles win over Benkirane. Abanda dusted off Pesenti, 6-1, 6-1, at the top flight. Ranked 19th in the nation, Fritschken coasted to a 6-0, 6-1 win over Helgesson at the No. 2 flight. Akemi Maehama defeated Daskiewicz, 6-4, 6-2, at No. 6 in the lengthiest match of the day, filled with a series of long rallies. Daskiewicz is ranked No. 19 in the region.
"It's good to be on the side where we're winning," Twelker said.
The Bucs host No. 16 Nova Southeastern at 2 p.m. Wednesday.