ORLANDO, Fla. – The No. 24 UCF women's tennis team swept No. 69 BYU on Thursday, March 17, at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, Florida.
After having a week off, the Knights came out ready to play and clinched the doubles point.
Court three led the way as Noel Saidenova and Jaleesa Leslie defeated Emilee Astle and Kara Lin by a score of 6-1. Not long after, Sophia Biolay and Nandini Sharma topped Anastasia Abramyan and Bobo Huang, 6-3, on court two, clinching the doubles point.
No. 57 Evgeniya Levashova and Marie Mattel were all tied up against Leah Heimuli and Helen Jiao on court one, but the match went unfinished at four all.
In singles play, Nandini Sharma took charge over Helen Jiao on court six to get a quick 6-1, 6-1 decision and is now on a four-match win streak.
No. 100 Marie Mattel followed suit with a 6-1, 6-3 win over Emilee Astle on court four. Mattel is now 3-0 when playing on court four.
The Knights led 3-0 with four courts remaining.
But it was Noel Saidenova who clinched the match as she defeated Anstasia Abramyan on court two by a score of 6-4, 6-2, and the Knights secured the sweep.
Three courts remained as No. 68 Evgeniya Levashova was making a big comeback in the second set over Leah Heimuli on court one but the match went unfinished, 3-6, 5-2. Jaleesa Leslie was out to a strong start over Bobo Huang on court three, but the match ended at 6-2, 3-5. Over on court five, Sophia Biolay was about to force a third set to Kara Lin but the match was unfinished at 5-7, 5-0.
POST-MATCH COMMENTS
Head coach Bryan Koniecko
[On the team's progress]
I think we've been competing harder and practicing good energy. Our freshmen have been doing a good job and been improving and our leaders are doing a good job leading this team.
Nandini Sharma
[On doubles partner]
It has been good. The most important part for us is to have fun, which I think that's how it's supposed to be. She gives me energy and I bring it back to her.
[On team growth]
We have understood that it is not going to be easy. But we have to give 100 percent every single time, bring that energy out there, show up and show the other team and everyone around us who we are.
UP NEXT
The Knights are right back in action tomorrow evening to take on No. 75 Harvard on March 18, and will complete the weekend, facing No. 9 Oklahoma State on March 20 at home in Orlando, Florida at the USTA National Campus.
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