TULSA, Okla. (UCFKnights.com) - An early doubles victory wasn't enough for No. 19 UCF Friday at the Case Tennis Center. The Knights dropped their first American Athletic Conference match of the season, 4-2 against No. 29 Tulsa.
Oracle/ITA Division I No. 51 doubles pair Maria Martinez and Ksenia Kuznetsova continued their impressive run to open the match. The duo knotted a 6-3 victory for UCF (17-3, 4-1) over Ksenia Laskutova and Martha Matoula at No. 1.
After a win by the Golden Hurricane (18-5, 5-0) at No. 2, Rebeka Stolmar and Silvia Bordes battled to a tiebreak victory, 7-6 (7-4), at No. 2 for the opening point.
Tulsa opened singles with two victories. Laskutova, who also checks in at No. 72 singles won at No. 1 over Kuznetsova, 6-2, 6-2 and Shura Poppe beat Natalia Serrano at No. 6, 6-4. 6-2.
UCF would tie the match up 2-2 with Martinez taking down No. 117 Martina Okalava 6-1, 7-5 at No. 2.
Tulsa went up 3-2 with a win at No. 5. Senior Monica Matias had a grinder at No. 4 in what turned out to be the clincher for the Golden Hurricane. Matias pushed Tamara Kupkova to consecutive tiebreaks, but ultimately fell 7-6 (7-2), 7-6 (7-3).
UP NEXT
The Knights finish up the regular season Sunday, April 15 at Wichita St. for a 1 p.m. match.
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#29 Tulsa 4, #19 UCF 2
Singles Competition
1. #72 Ksenia Laskutova (TU) def. Ksenia Kuznetsova (UCF-W) 6-2, 6-2
2. Maria Martinez (UCF-W) def. #117 Martina Okalova (TU) 6-1, 7-5
3. Martha Matoula (TU) vs. #120 Rebeka Stolmar (UCF-W) 2-6, 7-5, 1-2, unfinished
4. Tamara Kupkova (TU) def. Monica Matias (UCF-W) 7-6 (7-2), 7-6 (7-3)
5. Vera Ploner (TU) def. Silvia Bordes (UCF-W) 7-5, 6-3
6. Shura Poppe (TU) def. Natalia Serrano (UCF-W) 6-4, 6-2
Doubles Competition
1. #51 Maria Martinez/Ksenia Kuznetsova (UCF-W) def. Ksenia Laskutova/Martha Matoula (TU) 6-3
2. Rebeka Stolmar/Silvia Bordes (UCF-W) def. Vera Ploner/Shura Poppe (TU) 7-6 (7-4)
3. Tamara Kupkova/R. Van Rensburg (TU) def. Natalia Serrano/Monica Matias (UCF-W) 6-4
Match Notes:
UCF 17-3; National ranking #19
Tulsa 18-5; National ranking #29
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (1,6,2,5,4)