Titans Fall to State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota

The Eastern Florida State College women's tennis team struggled in doubles play Sunday morning and eventually lost to No. 4 State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota 6-3 at the Titan Tennis Center on the Melbourne Campus.

The No. 2 doubles team of Katharina Drebka and Nicole Trio defeated SCF's Casey O'Toole and Amiena Houston 8-6, but the Manatees scored victories in the No. 1 and 2 spots to head into singles play with a 2-1 advantage.

"Doubles is so important for picking up valuable points and momentum going into singles, but that's where we again came up short," Titans coach Jerry Thor said. "I'll continue to adjust our combos to find the right mix of players who can perform like we need them to."

In singles action, EFSC got a victory at No. 6 singles from Ana Cristina Orozco, who beat Cat Murphy 6-1, 6-2.

Sophomore Nicole Trio also continued her amazing run in singles play, defeating O'Toole 6-1, 6-2 in the No. 3 spot.

Trio has moved up and down the Titans' ladder, playing anywhere from No. 5 to No. 2 this season and is 7-0 in singles play.

"It doesn't matter where we put her, Nicole continues to win," Thor said. "She has a deep understanding of her game and that translates to supreme confidence on match day."

The loss drops the Titans to 4-3 overall, 3-3 in NJCAA Region 8 play.

EFSC will host No. 1 ASA Miami at 11 a.m. Friday at the Titan Tennis Center. Admission is free.