Hustle Points: 4/12

UCF rallies to take home Knights and Pirates Invitational title

  The UCF Knights women’s golf team clinched its second team title of the 2011-12 season on Tuesday when it shot a combined 877 (13-over) at the Knights and Pirates Invitational in Melbourne.

   “It was really a team effort, and I told them this morning to grind it out and that every shot counts,” head coach Courtney Trimble said in a release. “This helps our postseason chances significantly and gives us a taste of victory… I am excited.”

   Katie Mitchell and Carolin Pinegger recorded the top finishes for UCF, tying for third place with a 2-over 218.

Freeman recognized again, track & field climbs higher in rankings

   It’s been a good couple of days for freshman sprinter Octavious Freeman. 

   The Lake Wales-native was named Conference USA Female Track Athlete of the Week on Tuesday for the fourth time in her short collegiate career. The honor was the first Freeman has received since the outdoor season started.

   Freeman posted the fastest time in the 100-meters in the world by a female this year over the weekend at the Pepsi Florida Relays when she ran an 11.10. The performance was noteworthy enough to be highlighted as one of SportsCenter’s “Top Plays” that evening.

   As a result of the program’s strong showing in the Relays, the Knights climbed even higher in the national polls. On Tuesday UCF ascended to No. 12 in the national rankings, the only Conference USA team represented in the national polls.

Tampa looms as final game of spring schedule, goalkeeper added

  The UCF Knights men’s soccer team will wrap up its spring schedule on Friday when it takes on Tampa at home. The Knights are looking to rebound after falling 3-0 to Orlando City, the local professional team. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the UCF Track and Soccer Complex.

   The Knights also have added some more talent to their already-deep roster. Last week the program announced that Zach Biggs, starting goalkeeper for the Cypress Bay High School state championship team, will be joining the program for the 2012 season. Biggs was a Miami Herald All-Broward County First Team-selection.

Knights victorious on road, Nickitas inducted into UF Hall of Fame

   Despite getting off to a slow start this season, the UCF Knights women’s tennis team (8-10) is rallying, having won four of its last five matches. The most recent victory was a 5-2 win against SMU (1-14) on Sunday in Dallas.

UCF swept the doubles point to gain momentum before winning four of the six singles decisions.

Head coach Stephanie Nickitas received an honor of her own last week. Nickitas was inducted into the UF Athletic Hall of Fame at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium for her time as a star on the Gators’ women’s tennis team from 1996-99. During her time with the program, UF won two NCAA titles (1996 and 1998) and lost only three matches (120-3 overall record).