MIAMI – The UCF women’s tennis team dropped a hard-fought battle to Florida International Friday afternoon. The Knights dropped the doubles point, despite best efforts, were unable to win the four singles points needed, falling 4-2.
FIU picked up the first doubles court at position two, but Noel Saidenova and Anique Kattenberg struck back at court one to even the doubles at one court a piece. The Panthers came back to take court three in a tight, 7-5, battle to earn the doubles point.
The momentum seemed to shift towards the Black and Gold at the beginning of the singles competition. Jaleesa Leslie gave the squad its first point of the day with a 6-2, 6-3 straight set victory at court six. Sophia Biolay played at court one for the first time this season and also secured a 6-2, 6-3 win for the Knights. FIU came back to win singles positions three and four to go up 3-2. After dropping the first sets, Olivia Lincer and Anique Kattenberg won their second sets to force a third. The freshman fought hard but fell at court two by a score of 7-5, 2-6, 6-3 to clinch the victory for the Panthers.
UP NEXT
The Knights finish their road trip on Sunday, traveling to Coral Gables, Florida, to take on Miami at 12 p.m.