The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

KERRIE Cartwright and her Florida State Seminoles lost a hard-fought battle against the No.2 University of Florida Gators, losing 4-3, in the Sunshine Showdown on Wednesday.

But Cartwright made her impression for the No.34 Florida State when she pulled off a thrilling 6-2, 6-3 upset win over UF’s No. 3 ranked Josie Kuhlman.

It was only the Seminoles’ second victory in five games this season, while the Gators improved to 6-2.

Cartwright, now in her senior year, provided the spark for the Seminoles early on. Going up against Kuhlman, Cartwright was not intimidated and played some of the best tennis she’s played all season. She fell down 0-2 in the first set, but fought back and won six straight games. Cartwright kept control of the match the rest of the way for the win.

“I think I played very well. Everybody was applauding me and my coaches were patting me, but I’m very happy with the way our team played,” said Cartwright as she shared some of the spotlight. “All six of our players came out there to win. We played our best and that is all that matters.”

Despite the loss, Florida State’s head coach Jennifer Hyde had nothing but praise for her Seminoles players.

“We knew this team was good. I think tonight they proved to each other that we are a force to be reckoned with,” Hyde said. “We took early leads in singles. We came out very calm and just playing our games - executing at a high level and doing the things that they have been doing in practice.”

Cartwright, 22, said this was definitely her best performance for the season. “I think yesterday was one of my career best performances,” said Cartwright, who will graduate in the fall hopefully with her degree in sports management. “I’ve gotten stronger and every day I see myself getting stronger and stronger. Overall, I just think I’m playing very well and I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.”

The Seminoles are scheduled to be back in action 11am Saturday when they play a double header against Air Force and Mercer at the Scott Speicher Tennis Center.

“We want to win and be the best. If we work hard we can do it,” Cartwright said.

While she concentrates on completing her eligibility at Florida State, Cartwright said she is also looking at coming home in June to travel with the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association’s team to the Fed Cup.

“I love to play tennis, but I also love to play in a team concept like what I am doing here and with the Bahamas team,” she said.

She grew that love for the sport from her parents, Sean Cartwright and Kim O’Kelley - two former national champions who also represented the Bahamas at the Davis and Fed Cups in the past.