The Knights compiled a 3.17 grade-point average for the spring term, the highest student-athlete GPA for a single semester in school history. In addition, UCF student-athletes compiled an average GPA of 3.14 for the 2012-13 academic year, which was also the best mark for the Knights.

“I’m extremely proud of the semester we have had academically and we continue to be strong in this area,” said Kimya Massey, UCF’s Associate Athletic Director for Academic Services and Director of Academic Services for Student-Athletes. “We knew it would be a good term overall, but to break records and continue to push the standard even higher is a credit to our student-athletes and their desire to be excellent in whatever they do. I must also complement the ASSA staff for their constant support and willingness to help our student-athletes achieve their goals.”

UCF student-athletes have now recorded an average GPA of 3.0 or better for 11 consecutive semesters. Twelve of the Knights’ 16 sports programs were at or above a 3.0 for the spring term. Individually, 227 Knights student-athletes recorded a spring term GPA of 3.0 or better. Of that number, 27 earned a perfect 4.0 and 61 were at 3.75 or above.

Knight student-athletes said the UCF academic support personnel and their coaches impress upon them the importance of academics.

“Each member of the Academic Services staff does their best to put the student-athlete first,” women’s tennis player Jenna Doerfler said. “I have had nothing but extremely positive experiences with anyone I have worked with on the staff. The staff has always gone out of their way to help the student-athletes who come to them. My coaches have always made the importance of academics clear to us. We have team academic goals at the beginning of each semester. The coaches and staff do a great job working together with us to make sure we’re on track.”

“I believe our fall GPA motivated us and our academic advisor Sarah Hill pushed us all to do even better,” said women’s basketball player Erika Jones. “Our coaches asked about our schoolwork as often as they could, so that was helpful and greatly appreciated.”

Seven of UCF’s athletic teams set program records for spring term GPAs. Football (2.95), men’s basketball (2.85), women’s basketball (3.14), men’s golf (3.43), men’s soccer (3.29), softball (3.42) and track and field (3.31) all recorded the best spring term GPA in their teams’ histories.

Men’s golf led all teams in the spring with a 3.43 GPA, while the top women’s team was softball at 3.42. The UCF volleyball program continued its department-best streak of semesters at 3.0 or above, achieving that mark for the 12th straight term. Men’s basketball and football added to the records, compiling the best academic year GPAs ever for the two programs.

Women’s tennis head coach Stephanie Nickitas was pleased with how her team played and stressed they’re constantly improving. “It was a solid win today,” Nickitas said. “We played very well in doubles which gave us momentum heading into singles play. ”

The Knights swept the Spartans in doubles matches on the day. The afternoon featured Taylor Dubins and Andrea Yacaman not allowing a game in their 8-0 win over Dana Guentert and Hilary Hager at No. 3. Teams of Jenna Doerfler and Courtney Griffith along with the duo of Genevieve Lorbergs and Alexis Rodriguez posted impressive wins, with both pairs not allowing more than three games in each of their matches.

With a 1-0 team lead, UCF used three straight-set singles victories to seal the triumph over MSU. At No. 1, Lorbergs prevailed with a 6-2, 6-3 decision against Nicole Herzog. Meanwhile, Doerfler posted a 6-2, 6-4 win at No. 3 against Marina Bohrer, and Dubins defeated Michaela Silesova at No. 4, 6-3, 6-3.

Completing the 5-2 overall team win, Rodriguez topped Olga Chernova in impressive fashion in a super tiebreaker, 6-3, 2-6, 1-0(18-16).

When asked about how her team improved in singles matches over the last few weeks, Nickitas stressed maintaining a level head and remaining poised.

“We’re playing more consistently,” Nickitas said. “The key is to remain consistent and keep our momentum going for the rest of the season.”

The Black and Gold faces No. 3 Duke on March 9 at the UCF Tennis Complex. The match vs. the Blue Devils marks the fifth top-20 opponent in UCF’s first 12 matches of the season. Admission is free with the contest starting at 2 p.m.

Tennis Match Results

Michigan State vs UCF, 3/2/2012 at Orlando, Fla.

UCF 5, Michigan State 2

 Singles competition

1. Genevieve Lorbergs (UCF) def. Nicole Herzog (MSU) 6-2, 6-3
2. Alexis Rodriguez (UCF) def. Olga Chernova (MSU) 6-3, 2-6, 1-0 (18-16)
3. Jenna Doerfler (UCF) def. Marina Bohrer (MSU) 6-2, 6-4
4. Taylor Dubins (UCF) def. Michaela Silesova (MSU) 6-3, 6-3
5. Katarina Lingl (MSU) def. Josephine Haraldson (UCF) 6-4, 6-1
6. Dana Guentert (MSU) def. Andrea Yacaman (UCF) 6-4, 3-6, 4-3, retired

 Doubles competition

1. Genevieve Lorbergs/Alexis Rodriguez (UCF) def. Nicole Herzog/Katarina Lingl (MSU) 8-2
2. Jenna Doerfler/Courtney Griffith (UCF) def. Marina Bohrer/Michaela Silesova (MSU) 8-3
3. Taylor Dubins/Andrea Yacaman (UCF) def. Dana Guentert/Hilary Hager (MSU) 8-0

“In the finals, after losing the first set, I realized that I needed to keep her deeper and work the point more. I was determined not to let the chance of winning an ITA slip away. I can’t even describe the excitement I felt as I won the last point of the match to win the tournament. I was so excited, not only for me winning, but to represent UCF in my win. I truly had fun competing and had a support system of relatives and friends in Tallahassee that gave me great energy. I also loved playing doubles with my sister Jillian, and besides winning the tournament, that was a highlight for me.”

After receiving a bye into the round of 16, Doerfler rolled into the semifinals with a pair of straight-victories, highlighted by a 6-4, 6-4 triumph over Furman’s Margaret Ann Boyette in the quarters. Doerfler then topped five-star recruit Erin Stephens (Ole Miss), 7-5, 5-3 def., to reach the championship match. That was when another Mississippi signee fell to Doerfler as well, as the UCF junior edged blue chip recruit Julia Jones, 2-6, 6-4, 1-0(10-7), to secure the first-place crown.

It also was a family affair in the doubles draw, where Doerfler teamed up with sister Jillian, who will be attending Florida Southern in the fall, to reach the semifinals.

As a sophomore, Doerfler collected nine singles victories including six during the 2011 dual-match season. She also racked up seven wins on the doubles court. In two years with the Black and Gold, Doerfler has 23 singles victories and 18 doubles triumphs.

In the last home match of the dual-match season, the UCF women’s tennis team walked away with a 4-3 victory over Memphis Sunday. The victory allowed the Knights to improve their record to 8-7 on the season.

Senior Jenny Frisell played her final matches at the UCF Tennis Complex Sunday. Frisell and junior Alexis Rodriguez collected the only doubles victory for the Knights as they defeated Kathleen Hawkins and Mariya Slupska, 8-4.

It was a long battle in singles as three matches went the distance as Josephine Haraldson was the lone Knight to wrap up her victory in straight sets. At the No. 6 spot sophomore Allison Hodges lost the first set, 6-4, but had little problems in the second and third sets as she only dropped two games, 6-1, 6-1. Fellow sophomore Jenna Doerfler battled with Stefanie Mikesz at the No. 3 position. Doerfler collected the first set, 6-3, but dropped the second, 6-4. In the third, Doerfler was down 3-1, but came back to win the match, 6-4.

It was Frisell at the No. 1 spot who earned the decisive point for the Knights. The senior won the first set 7-5, but fell in the second to Courtney Collins in a tiebreaker, 7-6 (7-4). However, Collins was forced to retire due to an injury in the third set, giving Frisell the victory.

The Black and Gold will now travel to North Florida Thursday and Stetson Saturday this week.

UCF will be hosting the C-USA Women’s Tennis Championship April 21-24 at the Lake Cane Tennis Center in Orlando, and admission will be free for all fans.