Blue Devils Defeat Florida State, 4-0

Saturday, April 17

Durham, N.C.

1:00 p.m.

Duke University

Florida State

Duke Women Set for First ACC Road Match at N.C. State

Blue Devils Defeat Florida State, 4-0

4/17/2010 4:00:00 PM | Women's Tennis

By: Duke Sports Information

DURHAM, N.C. - Duke took a convincing 4-0 win this afternoon against No. 15 Florida State at the Ambler Tennis Stadium. The Blue Devils ended the match early after sealing the victory with a four-point lead.

"We had a little quote today," head coach Jamie Ashworth said. "'It doesn't matter if you have it, you have to bring it.' That is what we talked about. You have to bring it emotionally, physically and mentally. We did a good job of that."

The sixth-ranked Blue Devils got off to a great start in doubles play, as Reka Zsilinszka and Elizabeth Plotkin won the first doubles match, taking a quick 8-2 decision against Katie Rybakova and Amy Sargeant of Florida State.

On court two, Mary Clayton and Monica Gorny won a 9-7 match against Jessica Sucupira and Federica Suess. The Blue Devils were tied at seven with the Seminoles, but Clayton and Gorny were able to gain the advantage in the last two games to claim the 1-0 team lead.

Once Duke captured the doubles point, the match on court one was ended early. Amanda Granson and Ellah Nze were up 6-4 versus Lauren McCreless and Francesca Segarelli before the match was called.

"Our goal is to play with emotion in the doubles," Ashworth said. "I thought we came out and did a good job starting off that way. It is always great to look at the scoreboard and see that you are up 3-0, 2-1 ... you are up on every court and they feed off of that."

In singles play, Clayton made quick work of her opponent, beating Suess 6-2, 6-0 to give Duke a 2-0 lead in the overall match.

"It was good for Mary [Clayton] to have a quick match," Ashworth said. "Our goal when we have won doubles is to get a quick singles match, to not give the other team momentum. To get one [win] quickly really helped everybody."

Duke extended its lead to 3-0 as Granson won a 6-2, 6-4 match over Sargeant in No. 4 singles.

"[Granson] has been someone that we could count on for four years," Ashworth said. "No matter if she is playing three, four [singles] it doesn't matter where in the lineup, she has done a good job. I know she wants to have a big weekend, it being her last weekend. She doesn't need to put that added pressure on herself. She can go out, play and have fun. I think she did that today."

The Blue Devils closed out the win on court five, where Gorny earned a 6-4, 6-1 victory over Sucupira. Duke took the 4-0 win as all other play was ended once Gorny clinched the match.

Duke will host its final regular season match tomorrow at 1 p.m. against No. 11 Miami at Ambler Tennis Stadium. Granson will be recognized as part of Senior Day.

-d-u-k-e-

#6 Duke 4, #15 Florida State University 0
Apr 16, 2010 at Durham, N.C. (Ambler Tennis Stadium)

Singles competition

1. #50 Ellah Nze (DU) vs. #23 Lauren McCreless (FSU) 6-4, 2-4, unfinished

2. #77 Elizabeth Plotkin (DU) vs. Katie Rybakova (FSU) 6-7, 2-3, unfinished

3. #36 Reka Zsilinszka (DU) vs. #103 Francesca Segarelli (FSU) 6-6, unfinished

4. Amanda Granson (DU) def. Amy Sargeant (FSU) 6-2, 6-4

5. Monica Gorny (DU) def. Jessica Sucupira (FSU) 6-4, 6-1

6. Mary Clayton (DU) def. Federica Suess (FSU) 6-2, 6-0

Doubles competition

1. #47 Amanda Granson/Ellah Nze (DU) vs. Lauren McCreless/Francesca Segarelli (FSU) 6-4, unfinished

2. #66 Mary Clayton/Monica Gorny (DU) def. Jessica Sucupira/Federica Suess (FSU) 9-7