ATLANTA, Ga. – The No. 24 UCF women's tennis team (7-8) fell short against No. 22 Georgia Tech (10-6) on Thursday afternoon. The Knights fought tooth and nail after going down 2-0 early, but were unable to complete the comeback, dropping 4-3.
The team showcased its depth today, as the Knights were forced to shuffle their lineup, with several players filling new spots in the lineup. After dropping the doubles point and singles spot six due to walkover, the Knights battled hard, finding ways to break serve and take deuce points up and down the singles courts.
Sharma gave the Knights their first point of the afternoon with a demanding 6-3, 6-1 victory on court three, her first time playing this position since her sophomore season. The senior earned her second-straight ranked win, this time over No. 65 Mahak Jain. In a strong showing, Sharma won all eight of her service games and broke Jain's serve in five of the games.
The Yellow Jackets struck back soon after on court one, with their 7th-ranked singles player Carol Lee defeating Stefani Webb 7-6(5), 6-1.
Anique Kattenberg earned her first collegiate victory on court five, defeating her opponent 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 to put the Knights within one point of the Yellow Jackets.
The back courts continued to shine, with Jaleesa Leslie securing her first win of the season in a hard-fought 7-6(3), 1-6, 6-2 ranked victory on court four over No. 105 Alejandra Cruz, knotting the match score up at 3 points apiece.
All coming down to Sophia Biolay on court two, she battled hard, but came up short against the 26th-ranked singles player from Georgia Tech (7-5, 2-6, 6-3) to clinch the match for the Yellow Jackets.
#22 Georgia Tech 4, #24 UCF 3
Singles competition
1. #7 Carol Lee (GT) def. Stefani Webb (UCF) 7-6 (7-5), 6-1
2. #26 Kylie Bilchev (GT) def. Sophia Biolay (UCF) 7-5, 2-6, 6-3
3. Nandini Sharma (UCF) def. #65 Mahak Jain (GT) 6-3, 6-1
4. Jaleesa Leslie (UCF) def. #105 Alejandra Cruz (GT) 7-6 (7-3), 1-6, 6-2
5. Anique Kattenberg (UCF) def. Rosie Garcia Gross (GT) 6-4, 5-7, 6-4
6. Kate Sharabura (GT) def. No player (UCF), by walkover
Doubles competition
1. #69 Kylie Bilchev/Alejandra Cruz (GT) vs. #57 Nandini Sharma/Stefani Webb (UCF) 4-4, unfinished
2. Monika Dedaj/Kate Sharabura (GT) def. Jaleesa Leslie/Anique Kattenberg (UCF) 6-2
3. Carol Lee/Rosie Garcia Gross (GT) def. No player/No player (UCF), by walkover
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2); Singles (6,3,1,5,4,2)
UP NEXT
The Knights will look to wrap up their final road trip of the season with a win when they travel to No. 33 Clemson on Saturday, Mar. 25. The match will begin at 2 p.m. at Sloan Tennis Center.
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