Oct. 5, 2001

Tallahassee, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) – – Miami’s Mari Toro, seeded No. 4 in Flight A singles, defeated Central Florida’s Marieke Gunawan in straight sets 6-3, 6-2 to highlight a strong opening day by the Hurricanes at the annual Lady Seminole Fall Classic at the Scott Speicher Tennis Center on the Florida State campus.

Toro, who received a bye in the first round, defeated UCF’s Gunawan in round two to advance. Toro will face FSU’s Jessica Balbuena in the third round on Saturday. UM’s Marcy Hora defeated Genevieve Houle of South Florida in the first round 6-4, 6-2, but fell to TCU’s Paty Alburto in round two 6-2, 6-2.

In Flight B singles action, UM’s top-seeded Staci Stevens defeated FIU’s Mei Ly in straight sets 6-0, 6-2 in round two. Sihem Bennacer also remained undefeated defeating USF’s Patricia Kolendo (6-3, 6-2) and FIU’s Dominique Rosenberg (6-1, 6-2) to advance into round three. Sara Robbins opened up with a win over USF’s Jamie Larsen (6-1, 7-6), but fell to TCU’s Rosa Perez in a second round three-setter 6-0, 6-7, 6-2.

In Flight C singles, all three Hurricanes went undefeated on the first day of the Classic taking up three of the four positions in the flights’ semifinal. Top-seeded Lauren Scaglione defeated TCU’s Ivonne Andrade in three sets 2-6, 7-5, 6-4. Scaglione will face teammate Igne DeVilliers, who defeated Jacksonville’s Kimberley Packer (6-3, 7-5) and FSU’s Beth Lawrence (6-0, 6-1). Jessica Pelto won her two matches over JU’s Tamara Kaftalovich (6-0, 6-0) and Auburn’s M.J. Woods (6-0, 6-0).

In doubles competition, UM’s top tandem of Toro and Hora lost their Flight A opening match against Auburn’s Ramirez and Bercir 8-4. Bennacer and Robbins won over TCU’s Katrin Gaber and Karla Mancinas 8-2 in Flight B, along with DeVilliers and Scaglione who defeated JU’s Martyne Dallman and Packer 8-6.