ORLANDO, Fla. – The UCF women's tennis team advanced two singles and three doubles to the sweet sixteen of the ITA Southeast Regional tournament at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, Florida.
The Knights all grabbed wins in the doubles main draw to advance to the sweet sixteen tomorrow.
Marie Mattel and Nandini Sharma paired up and defeated Ida Ferding and Fanny Norin of Florida Gulf Coast in a quick 8-2 decision.
Anique Kattenberg and Jaleesa Leslie followed suit with a win over Kate Sharabura and Carol Lee of Georgia Tech with a score of 8-4.
Evgeniya Levashova and Valeriya Zeleva rounded out doubles play on the day, defeating Dana Heimen and Paula Hijos of Georgia Southern in 8-4.
In singles action, Marie Mattel opened the main draw with a win over Katherine Muzik of Kennesaw State in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4. Mattel moved on to the round of 32, playing No. 19 Lea Ma of Georgia, who was the No. 3 seed in the tournament. Mattel secured a big upset by a score of 6-4, 1-6, 6-3. With the win, she will play in the sweet sixteen tomorrow.
No. 80 Evgeniya Levashova opened up in dominating fashion as she defeated Afrika Smith from Bethune Cookman in a quick 6-0, 6-0. Levashova then faced Kamila Umarova of FIU. She dropped a tough first set but was able to fight back and take the next two to win by a score of 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 to advance to the sweet sixteen.
Nandini Sharma saw the likes of Ida Ferding of Florida Gulf Coast in her first singles match of the day after just facing her in doubles earlier. Sharma earned the win with a score of 6-2, 2-6, 6-2 to advance to the next round. Sharma then went up against Ania Hertel from Georgia, who was the No. 15 seed in the tournament, but was unable to hold on as she fell 6-2, 6-3.
No. 20 Valeriya Zeleva retired her match against Aylen Hubeaut from FAMU while Jaleesa Leslie also retired her match against Eden Richardson of Miami, both due to injuries.
Schedule:
Saturday, October 16:
- Singles Main Draw: Sweet 16
- Doubles Main Draw: Sweet 16 & Elite 8
- Consolation Singles Draw: Round of 16
- Consolation Doubles Draw: Round of 8
Follow this link to the tournament website for results, draws, and more.
FRIDAY RESULTS
Doubles Main Draw – First Round
Marie Mattel/Nandini Sharma def. Ferding/Norin (FGCU) – 8-2
Anique Kattenberg/Jaleesa Leslie def. Sharabura/Lee (Georgia Tech) – 8-4
Evgeniya Levashova/Valeriya Zeleva def. Heimen/Hijos (Georgia Southern) – 8-4
Singles Main Draw - First Round
No. 80 Evgeniya Levashova def. Smith (B Cookman) – 6-0, 6-0
Marie Mattel def. Muzik (Kennesaw State) – 6-2, 6-4
Nandini Sharma def. Ferding (FGCU) – 6-2, 2-6, 6-2
Richardson (Miami) def. Jaleesa Leslie – 6-1, 7-4, 4-1 (ret. Inj.)
Hubeaut (FAMU) def. No. 20 Valeriya Zeleva – 6-2 (ret, inj.)
Singles Main Draw - Round of 32
No. 80 Evgeniya Levashova def. Umarova (FIU) – 5-7, 6-4, 6-2
Marie Mattel def. No. 19 Ma (Georgia) – 6-4, 1-6, 6-3
Hertel (Georgia) def. Nandini Sharma – 6-2, 6-3
UP NEXT
The Knights will continue play on Saturday with an attempt to make the championship matches on Monday.
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.