CARY, N.C. – The UCF women's tennis competed in singles at the Wolfpack Invitational/Ranked Spotlight on Friday, September 24, at the Cary Tennis Park. Valeriya Zeleva highlighted the day with two victories to advance to the quarterfinals.
UCF was well represented with No. 20 Valeriya Zeleva, No. 80 Evgeniya Levashova, Marie Mattel, Nandini Sharma, and Jaleesa Leslie.
There are two singles draws, with each including a back draw.
In the Main Draw 'A' bracket, No. 20 Zeleva, playing the tournament as #5-8, defeated Margaryta Bilokin from Duke with a 6-4, 6-3 decision. She then saw the likes of Victoria Hu from Princeton. After dropping the first set, 3-6, Zeleva came back to win the second in 7-5 and sealed the win with a 6-3 decision in the third. Zeleva will move on to the quarterfinals tomorrow.
Also in the 'A' bracket, No. 80 Levashova, playing #9-16 in the tournament, fell to No. 111 Jaeda Daniel from NC State by a score of 6-2, 6-4. She then held on strong to take down the No. 8 ranked singles player of Natasha Subhash from Virginia with an exciting 6-3, 7-6(4) decision.
In the Main Draw 'B' bracket, Nandini Sharma played as the No. 4 seed in the bracket with a bye in the first round. She then played Allie Gretkowski from South Carolina, but dropped the match by a score of 6-0, 6-3.
Leslie also had a bye before taking on Luna Dormet of Ohio State which she fell 6-4, 6-1.
After dropping the first set, Marie Mattel came back strong to take the second and force the third set, but she ultimately fell in the first round to Amelia Rajecki from NC State (7-5, 3-6, 6-4). She then played Marcelina Podlinska of Oklahoma in the first round back draw. Mattel had a slow start, but found her rhythm to force the third set but was unable to hang on as she fell 6-0, 3-6, 7-5.
The Knights continue singles play tomorrow.
Remaining Schedule
Saturday, Sept. 25 - two singles matches
Sunday, Sept. 26 - one doubles match, one singles match
Follow this link to the tournament website for more details and brackets.
DAY 2 RESULTS
SINGLES
Main Draw 'A' First Round
No. 20 Valeriya Zeleva def. Margaryta Bilokin (DUKE) – 6-4, 6-3
No. 111 Jaeda Daniel (NC STATE) def. No. 80 Evgeniya Levashova – 6-2, 6-4
Main Draw 'A' Second Round
No. 20 Valeriya Zeleva def. Victoria Hu (PRINCETON) – 3-6, 7-5, 6-3
No. 80 Evgeniya Levashova def. No. 8 Natasha Subhash (UVA) – 6-3, 7-6(4)
Main Draw 'B' First Round
Nandini Sharma - Bye
Jaleesa Leslie - Bye
Amelia Rajecki (NC STATE) def. Marie Mattel – 7-5, 3-6, 6-4
Main Draw 'B' Second Round
Allie Gretkowski (SOUTH CAROLINA) def. Nandini Sharma – 6-0, 6-3
Luna Dormet (OHIO STATE) def. Jaleesa Leslie – 6-4, 6-1
Singles Compass - First Round Backdraw
Marcelina Podlinska (OKLA) def. Marie Mattel – 6-0, 3-6, 7-5
UP NEXT
The Knights are back on the courts tomorrow morning as they continue singles play at the Wolfpack Invitational/Ranked Spotlight in Cary, North Carolina.
FOLLOW THE KNIGHTS
Follow UCF Women's Tennis on social media on Facebook (/UCF.WTennis), Twitter (UCF_WTennis) and Instagram (UCFWTennis).
GET THE APP
Never miss any UCF Knights news from your favorite team by downloading the free UCF Knights app right to your iOS or Android phone! The app provides personalized information for men's and women's teams, scores, schedules, loyalty programs and even breaking news.
