Bulls drop another match due to doubles

The USF women’s tennis team once again reaffirmed the importance of the doubles point when it lost both doubles 2-1 and the match 4-3 to Eastern Michigan.

“It was disappointing,” USF coach Gigi Fernandez said. “We are losing 4-3 a lot.”

Losing the doubles point and the match 4-3 has become a trend. The Bulls, who have lost 4-3 four times this season, lost the doubles point in three of those events. Fernandez said losing the doubles point adds pressure to her players when they go and compete in the singles.

“Everyone feels like their match becomes more important,” Fernandez said.

The losses in the doubles came at the No. 1 and No. 2 spots, both of which were defeated handily, 8-2 and 8-3, respectively. Singles did not fair much better. Defeated at No. 1, No. 3 and No. 5 singles, the Bulls could only win six sets between their three lost matches.

“We worked on doubles the past few days, and it’s disappointing to get off to such a slow start.”

Even though doubles has been stressed and practiced, Fernandez said teaching doubles technique only goes so far.

“You can teach all you want, but it’s so instinctive,” Fernandez said.

“In doubles there are a lot of choices and a lot of options.”