College tennis stars come to Lakewood Ranch

The Lakewood Ranch Dick Vitale Intercollegiate Clay Court Classic presented by First Watch Cafe was a standout event.

  • By Ryan Kohn
  • | 2:30 p.m. November 5, 2017
  • East County
  • Sports
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The stars of college tennis were in Lakewood Ranch this weekend — and for a good cause. 

The Lakewood Ranch Dick Vitale Intercollegiate Clay Court Classic presented by First Watch Cafe was held at Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club Nov. 3-5. The tournament was free to attend, but raised money for the V Foundation for Cancer Research through the purchase of banners or straight donations. 

University of Florida senior Josie Kuhlman won the women's singles tournament, defeating the University of Central Florida's Monica Matias 6-2, 6-3 in the championship match. 

Lakewood Ranch High grad and current Liberty University player Ashley Bongart reached the quarterfinals, but lost 6-2, 6-0 to Matias. 

Matias would bounce back in the women's doubles division alongside partner Natalia Serrano, beating their UCF teammates Ksenia Kuznetsova and Maria Martinez 8-5. 

Florida's Andy Andrade won the men's singles title with a 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 win against the University of Michigan's Kristofer Siimar. 

Siimar and teammate Carter Linn beat Andrade and his partner, Jordan Belga, 8-4 in the men's doubles division. 

 

 

Dick Vitale speaks to the tournament crowd about raising funds for the V Foundation for Cancer Research.
Dick Vitale speaks to the tournament crowd about raising funds for the V Foundation for Cancer Research.
The University of Florida's Josie Kuhlman prepares to serve in the women's singles championship match.
The University of Florida's Josie Kuhlman prepares to serve in the women's singles championship match.
The University of Central Florida's Monica Matias returns a shot against Josie Kuhlman. Matias fell in the championship match 6-2, 6-3.
The University of Central Florida's Monica Matias returns a shot against Josie Kuhlman. Matias fell in the championship match 6-2, 6-3.
Josie Kuhlman stretches to get in position for a backhand shot. She won the women's singles title 6-2, 6-3.
Josie Kuhlman stretches to get in position for a backhand shot. She won the women's singles title 6-2, 6-3.
Florida's Andy Andrade jumps into his return shot in the men's doubles final. He and Jordan Belga fell 8-4 to Michigan's Carter Linn and Kristofer Siimar.
Florida's Andy Andrade jumps into his return shot in the men's doubles final. He and Jordan Belga fell 8-4 to Michigan's Carter Linn and Kristofer Siimar.
Michigan's Kristofer Siimar stares down his Florida opponents in the men's doubles final.
Michigan's Kristofer Siimar stares down his Florida opponents in the men's doubles final.
Michigan's Carter Linn bends to slice a shot back toward Florida's Andy Andrade and Jordan Belga.
Michigan's Carter Linn bends to slice a shot back toward Florida's Andy Andrade and Jordan Belga.
Florida's Andy Andrade exerts all his energy to hit a backhand shot.
Florida's Andy Andrade exerts all his energy to hit a backhand shot.
Michigan's Carter Linn pumps his fist after he and partner Kristofer Siimar won a point in the men's doubles title match. The pair won the match 8-4.
Michigan's Carter Linn pumps his fist after he and partner Kristofer Siimar won a point in the men's doubles title match. The pair won the match 8-4.
Dick Vitale presents Florida's Josie Kuhlman with her women's singles title.
Dick Vitale presents Florida's Josie Kuhlman with her women's singles title.
Central Florida's Monica Matias, tournament co-founder Chris Marquez, Dick Vitale and Florida's Josie Kuhlman pose for pictures following the women's singles championship match.
Central Florida's Monica Matias, tournament co-founder Chris Marquez, Dick Vitale and Florida's Josie Kuhlman pose for pictures following the women's singles championship match.

 

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