Women’s Tennis Heads to Florida for Spring Break

Penn Singles Records | Penn Doubles Records

PHILADELPHIA - Penn's women's tennis team (4-2) takes its annual Spring Break trip to Florida this weekend. The Quakers will play three matches in five days, starting in DeLand, Fla. against James Madison (1-1, 1-1 CAA) on March 3 and Stetson (3-1) on March 4, and then finishing in Fort Myers, Fla. against Florida Gulf Coast (4-2) on March 8.

With just five matches remaining in Penn's non-conference schedule, the Quakers' three-match stay in the Sunshine State will continue their warmup for an extremely competitive Ivy League - Penn will start Ivy play against Princeton in Philadelphia on March 30.

Singles So Far:

Sol Eskenazi (4-1) has spent the majority of her career at Penn playing first singles, and 2012-13 has not been any different. Other than her loss to the reigning America East Player of the Year, Nini Lagvilava of Stony Brook, in two tiebreak sets, the Penn sophomore has rolled through the competition this spring. Eskenazi's highlight win was over Jeltje Loomans of William & Mary, who is one half of the second-ranked doubles team in the nation.

Stephanie Do (4-2) has taken her place at second singles for most of the spring, and has split her four matches there. Additionally, the junior co-captain's lone spring match at first singles was a win over the reigning Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year, Melissa Kandinata of Richmond, in straight sets.

Sonya Latycheva (3-2) has grown into her own at third singles, and is 2-1 in that position. The freshman most recently took down Julianna Pires of Old Dominion in straight sets, and has seen time at second singles as well - Latycheva compiled a 1-1 record at No. 2.

Jaime Yapp-Shing (2-1) had a late start to her spring, but has seen success in her short time playing at fourth singles. Alex Ion (3-3) has played equal time this spring at third, fourth and fifth singles, seeing most of her success at third and fourth. Katherine Jania (4-2) has had success this spring as well, playing mostly at fifth and sixth singles. Emma Whitfield (3-1) has held the sixth spot this spring, with her only loss coming against now-No. 25 William & Mary.

Doubles So Far:

The No. 24-ranked pair of Eskenazi and Latycheva (4-1) has been dominant this spring at first singles, with their lone loss coming against the second-ranked duo in the country, Jeltje Loomans and Maria Belaya of William and Mary. Do and her co-captain Jules Rodin (2-0) have been Penn's most successful second doubles pair this season, with wins over Richmond and Stony Brook. Lastly, third doubles has seen Whitfield and Ion (2-0) have the most success, but Do and Ion (1-0) have teamed in recent weeks as well, winning their most recent match against Old Dominion.

Florida Outlook:

The Series with James Madison:

• Penn trails the all-time series, 3-2.
• All five matches have been at neutral sites.
• The Dukes won the most recent match, 5-2, on March 12, 2011 in Jacksonville, Fla.
  • Do and Whitfield won their match at second doubles to help Penn take the doubles point.
    

The Series with Stetson:

• Penn trails the all-time series, 1-0.
• The Hatters won the only match between the two programs, 4-3, in DeLand, Fla. on March 8, 2011.
  • Do and Whitefield won at third doubles to help Penn win the doubles point.
  • Do also won at fourth singles for one of the Quakers two singles victories.

The Series with Florida Gulf Coast:

• Penn leads the all-time series, 1-0.
• The Quakers won the only meeting between the two programs, 5-1, on March 8 of last season in Fort Myers, Fla.
  
  • Eskenazi, Do and Ion had three of Penn's four singles win at first, second and third, respectively.
  • Rodin and Eskenazi won at first doubles and Do and Whitfield took third doubles.