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Women's Tennis Downs K-State at Home, 4-1

by Logan Hasselbach

ORLANDO -  The UCF women’s tennis team kicked off its final homestand of the regular season in the win column with a strong 4-1 win over Kansas State Friday night. After winning the doubles point, the Knights continued to roll through singles, dropping just one court in their march to their fourth-straight win.

It was nice to start with a good doubles point, that really gave us the confidence we needed going into singles. We all really raised our level and put us ahead, putting the pressure on Kansas State. Really proud of Noel to finish, winning nine or 10 games in a row to put us over the finish line.

Bryan KonieckoHead Coach

The Black and Gold got out to an early lead in doubles play thanks to a dominant 6-2 victory on court three from Donatella Guarnieri and Olivia Lincer. The duo has played a big role in getting the energy moving, claiming their second win as partners. On the opposite end of the courts, Noel Saidenova and Anique Kattenberg bounced back after a tough loss last week at Houston to put the finishing touch on the doubles point clinch with a strong 6-3 victory.  The tandem leads the team in doubles wins, now with eight.

The Knights kept their foot on the gas as they entered singles play and took three first sets on courts three, four and five. Freshman Lincer was the first to strike in singles play, returning to the singles lineup after missing the matches against West Virginia and Houston. She demonstrated pure power on court three, her first time playing at the third position this season, and earned a strong 6-2, 6-2 win to put UCF up 2-0.

The Wildcats struck back shortly after, but Tilbuerger was there to ensure the overall score would not be tied. The sophomore was locked in a battle at court four after taking the first set 6-4. Her K-State opponent was not going down easily, but Tilbuerger prevailed to take the second set, 7-5, and the match. With the win, she has extended her unbeaten streak to ten matches and remains undefeated in conference play.

The Knight to clinch the match was none other than Saidenova, the team leader in clinching points. After dropping the first set, 6-3, and falling 3-1 in the second set, the junior dropped only one additional game in her march to victory. Saidenova went on a dominant run in the final two sets winning 12 of the 13 final games played to secure the first Big 12 conference win at the USTA National Campus for the squad (3-6, 6-3, 6-1). Her tenth singles win of the season marks the first time in her career that she has surpassed double-digit singles victories.

After the match was clinched, the remaining courts went unfinished, including a strong showing from No. 123 Sophia Biolay at court two. When the court went unfinished, the junior led 6-3, 0-6, 5-3. Kattenberg’s match was also abandoned, locked in a tight three-set battle.

UP NEXT

The Knights will host No. 1 Oklahoma State for their final home match Sunday, with first serve scheduled for noon at the USTA National Campus. Saidenova and Kattenberg will be honored with Senior Day festivities beginning at approximately 11:30 a.m.

Singles competition

1. Noel Saidenova (UCF) def. Vanesa Suarez (KSU) 3-6, 6-3, 6-1

2. #123 Sophia Biolay (UCF) vs. Charlotte Keitel (KSU) 6-3, 0-6, 5-3, unfinished

3. Olivia Lincer (UCF) def. Maralgoo Chomsomjav (KSU) 6-2, 6-2

4. Jantje Tilbuerger (UCF) def. Tereza Polakova (KSU) 6-4, 7-5

5. Anique Kattenberg (UCF) vs. Manami Ukita (KSU) 0-6, 6-2, 2-5, unfinished

6. Maria Santos (KSU) def. Donatella Guarnieri (UCF) 6-4, 6-0

Doubles competition

1. Noel Saidenova/Anique Kattenberg (UCF) def. Vanesa Suarez/Tereza Polakova (KSU) 6-3

2. Sophia Biolay/Jantje Tilbuerger (UCF) vs. Maria Santos/Maralgoo Chomsomjav (KSU) 5-3, unfinished

3. Olivia Lincer/Donatella Guarnieri (UCF) def. Manami Ukita/Jillian Harkin (KSU) 6-2

Order of finish: Doubles (3,1); Singles (3,6,4,1)