SAN DIEGO – Carly Briggs and Marlee Zein managed to bring home some hardware for Florida women’s tennis over the weekend, claiming the doubles consolation title at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Fall National Championships.After falling in their first match of the ITA Fall Championships, the pair reeled-off four consecutive wins in the consolation side of the bracket to claim the title. They opened with a victory over Dalla-Bona/Richterova of Colorado State (7-5, 6-7(5) [10-6]) before earning a second victory over Ohio State’s Cantos/Ratliff (7-6(2) 6-3).
Entering the semi-final round, Briggs and Zein faced a tall-task, matching up with No. 28 Lewis/Pietrowicz of Michigan State. Facing off with a ranked opponent didn’t intimidate the duo, as they earned the 6-2, 7-6(7) sweep over the Spartan pair to punch their ticket to the championship round for the consolation draw.Virginia’s Collard/Shaikh awaited the Gators in the final round on Sunday afternoon. The upperclassmen started strong, opening with a 6-3 set victory before the Cavaliers stormed back in the second to even the match behind a 6-4 effort. With the third-set tiebreaker set to decide the outcome, Briggs and Zein outlasted the opposition for an 11-9 victory and consolation draw title.The Florida women’s tennis squad will be back in action one last time this fall when they head to Jacksonville, Fla., for the North Florida Invitational from Nov. 12-14.DOUBLESAlsola/Richards (California) def. Briggs/Zein: 6-0, 4-6 [12-10]Briggs/Zein def. Dalla-Bona/Richterova (Colorado State): 7-5, 6-7(5) [10-6]Briggs/Zein def. Cantos/Ratliff (Ohio State): 7-6(2), 6-3Briggs/Zein def. No. 28 Lewis/Pietrowicz (Michigan State): 6-2, 7-6(7)Briggs/Zein def. Collard/Shaikh (Virginia): 6-3, 4-6 [11-9]
