Women's tennis team in fifth place at the national tournament

The Eastern Florida State College women's tennis had another good day and are in fifth place at the NJCAA Division I National Tournament in Tyler, Texas.

The Titans had a big afternoon as all three doubles teams picked up wins in the quarterfinals to join singles player Maria Gento in the semifinals on Tuesday.

Gento picked up another win at No. 4 singles, defeating Seward County Community College's Alejandra Ramirez in three sets, losing the first set 6-4 before bouncing back to tie the match 6-2. Down 5-4 in the third, Gento battled back to pick up the win 7-6.

The freshman from Cantabria, Spain will face No. 1 seed Yoana Dudova of Hillsborough Community College.

Gento teamed with Elena Martinez Prado in the afternoon doubles and the duo picked up a win at No. 2 doubles, defeating St. Petersburg College's Alessia Ciampi and Maria Moskaltsova in three sets. The Titans pair lost the first set 6-4 but came back to win the next two, 7-5, 7-6(2) to advance to the semifinals. They will play Hillsborough's Dudova and Sanne Schoormans in the semifinals on Tuesday.

The team of Lucia Lucas and Emma Sanchez advanced to the semifinals, knocking off No. 2 Paula Cabrer and Rocio Martinez in the quarterfinals. The duo won the first set 7-6(5) and then lost the second set 5-7, setting up a third set. Sanchez and Lucas prevailed in the third, winning 6-4 to advance to the semifinals.

Sara Ladino and Elena Martinez Prado dominated at No. 3 doubles, winning 6-3, 6-1 to advance to the semifinals. The No. 2 seeded Titans will play No. 3 seed Catherine Goldman and Adeola Greatorex of Hillsborough Community College on Tuesday.

"They competed very well, I felt like Emma and Lucia played lights out, they played great. They played free and played well," Eastern Florida State College women's tennis coach Bobby Cashman said. "It is tough out here, everyone competed well and played well together and that is nice. They complimented each other and really played well together."

Martinez Prado, Sanchez, Lucas and Mitlmeier all lost singles matches on Monday.

It is the most flights the Titans have ever had in the semifinals as Eastern Florida State College sits in fifth place with 30 points. Cowley County Community College leads at 36 points with Hillsborough CC second, host Tyler Junior College third and St. Petersburg College fourth.