ORLANDO – The UCF women's tennis team further bolstered the future of the program this week, as head coach Bryan Koniecko and the Knights announced the signings of Mihaela Tsoneva, Stefani Webb, Grace Marie Levelston and Olivia Lincer to National Letters of Intent for the 2023-24 campaign.
Grace Levelston | 6'0" | Vero Beach, Florida
A native of Vero Beach, Florida, Levelston, a blue-chip recruit, was rated as high as No. 2 in the nation and collected a WTA World Singles Ranking of #1073. Grace also earned All-American status during her time at Vero Beach High School. She achieved a UTR rating of 10.54 and qualified for five W25 ITF Professional Events in 2022.
In her pre-college career, she boasts back-to-back Delray Beach Junior Open Tournament wins and earned high school doubles state honors in addition to being named a high school All-American.
Levelston knew from the moment she stepped on campus that UCF would be the best fit for her to continue her playing career and education in sports medicine and kinesiology with a minor in holistic medicine.
"It felt right," she said. "The coaches, trainers, facilities and students create an environment that I had desired. I clicked with Lloyd (Bruce-Burgess) and Bryan almost instantly. They have something magical that I wanted to be a part of."
Stefani Webb | 5'5" | Melbourne, Australia
Webb, another international signing, comes to the Knights as one of the top Australian junior tennis players out of Melbourne. She was ranked the number #235 ITF Junior and has a win over the top-ranked junior in the world and US Open Finalist, Lucie Havlickova.
Webb is ranked #878 in the WTA doubles rankings and was a finalist in W15 ITF Caloundra, Australia.
Stefani is interest in pursuing UCF's top sports medicine program.
"I chose UCF because it is a top school that not only prioritizes education and tuition, but also its sporting aspects," Webb said. "UCF tennis also uses the USTA campus to train and I believe the facilities are outstanding. I also loved the teamwork and how hard the athletes train to better themselves, a quality I strive for every single day."
Olivia Lincer | 5'8" | Windsor, Connecticut
Lincer, a native of Windsor, Connecticut, signs with the Knights and is currently ranked #561 on the WTA Tour. She is a former #65 ITF Junior in the world and was ranked as the No. 5 recruit in the nation.
Lincer made it to the Round of 16 of Junior Wimbledon and has a UTR of 10.83. In her pre-college career, Lincer has claimed wins over three former All-Americans as well as Whitney Osuigwe, ranked #257 WTA and Olivia Tjandramulia ranked #374 WTA.
Lincer, who also represents Poland, is their #1 ranked Junior and #8 Women's player. She reached her first W15 ITF Final in Guatemala in November 2021. After that she has made the round of 16 in two W60 ITF tournaments, along with a Quarterfinal result in a W25 ITF in Florence, SC.
"UCF presented all of the values and opportunities that I was looking for in my dream school," said Lincer.
Mihaela Tsoneva | 5'9" | Gabrovo, Bulgaria
Tsoneva, an international signing from Gabrovo, Bulgaria with a UTR of 10.68, she brings a decorated resume to UCF. Mihaela claimed the top spot in the U18 European Championships leading Bulgaria on the final day with a win over the #12 ITF Junior in the world.
She achieved a WTA ranking of #891 in the world, and in Bulgaria claimed the No. 2 junior ranking in the U18 category as well as the women's division. Mihaela reached two Semifinals of the W15 ITF in Antalya and won the National Winter Championships of Bulgaria.
Mihaela is deciding between pursuing business or kinesiology in the classroom. Mihaela chose UCF because of its outstanding tennis program and the ability to pursue a professional tennis career.
