Tampa Defeats Eckerd In Regular Season Finale

TAMPA, Fla. - The No. 50 University of Tampa (5-12, 1-7 SSC) tennis team finished its regular season on a winning note, registering a 6-3 victory over Sunshine State Conference opponent Eckerd College (3-12, 0-7 SSC) at the UT Tennis Complex on Thursday.

The Spartans took a 2-1 lead following doubles action with the win coming from the two and three positions. The number-two team of Megan Mancini and Nikol Williams won 8-2 as the three team of Briana Ryan and Kathleen Beckham also won 8-4.

Tampa also claimed four of the six singles matches, including victories in the three through six spots. Lauren Hewett won 6-4, 6-1 at number-three as Mancini earned a 6-0, 6-0 triumph.

Ryan and Victoria Simon each won first-set tiebreakers before winning the second sets in the number five and six matches. Ryan won 7-6 (7-4), 6-2 while Simon took a 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 victory.

The Spartans will next compete in the 2011 SSC Tournament, which will be held in Altamonte Springs, Fla., from April 14-16.

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