ORLANDO, Fla. – The UCF women's tennis team has added two international newcomers to the roster for the 2022 spring season. Freshmen Noel Saidenova from Russia and Sophia Biolay from France will help boast this year's squad into another historic season.
Noel Saidenova comes to UCF from Saint-Petersburg, Russia where she ranked as high as No. 45 in the nation. She joins ranked at 10.72 in UTR. Saidenova has won 27 total tournaments, including 12 Tennis Europe events, ITF juniors and two $15000 in doubles. She has reached No. 930 in singles and No. 804 in doubles in WTA rankings while coming in at No. 310 in singles and No. 171 in doubles in ITF rankings.
"I chose UCF because in my opinion UCF has the strongest tennis team," said Saidenova.
Sophia Biolay comes to UCF from Reims, France where she was ranked as high as No. 51 in the nation and a 10.33 in UTR rankings. Biolay has found success in some big tournaments. Most notably, she was crowned the TC Arras Champion and was a finalist at Clermont Ferrand. Biolay climbed as high as No. 341 in ITF singles rankings and No. 972 in WTA singles rankings.
"I selected UCF because I immediately had a great feeling with the coach," Biolay said, "The players of this team are ambitious and combative which corresponds to my mentality. The campus also looks amazing. I am eager to start this new adventure."
The Knights look to build off their incredible run last season as they return eight of eleven members from last season's team that earned another conference title and trip to the NCAA Tournament. The addition of Biolay and Saidenova will pair well with the experienced returners who made it through to the Sweet 16 last season.
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