ORLANDO, Fla. – After winning three straight matches, including a big one over No. 21 Florida, freshman Jaleesa Leslie has been named the American Athletic Conference's Player of the Week.
Leslie's incredible week began on Friday as the Knights opened their home slate for the 2021 season by hosting No. 21 Florida. UCF jumped out to a 3-0 lead after securing the doubles point and two singles courts. The Gators fought back and eventually evened the match at three a side. The only remaining match was on court six, where Leslie was battling Sydney Berlin all night long. After dropping the first set, Leslie fought through an extended second stanza to force a third set. She went on to get the job done, beating Berlin 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 and earning the Knights' first win of 2021.
The win was huge for Leslie and the Knights, as the season opener against Wake Forest was a tight 3-3 match coming down to her court. Leslie wound up dropping that match which doubled as her first collegiate match ever.
Leslie continued to excel after the Florida match. The Knights hosted Georgia Southern the following day and went on to collect a 7-0 sweep. Leslie moved up to the No. 5 spot in singles and won with ease, grabbing a 6-1, 6-1 win as the second court done, getting the Knights one point shy of the clincher.
Monday saw Leslie pick up her second consecutive straight set victory as she went on to win 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) at the No. 6 singles spot against Old Dominion.
UP NEXT
The hard-hitting rookie has shone through her first two weeks of the season. Leslie and the Knights will cap off their homestand by hosting Stetson on Thursday at 12 p.m.
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