FORT MYERS, Florida - Not even 24 hours after a dramatic triumph over No. 24 Florida State, the 23rd-ranked UCF women’s tennis team put the icing on a perfect weekend, defeating Columbia 4-2 in Fort Myers this afternoon.
Four days ago, the Knights had pulled out of the ITA Kickoff Weekend and were without any weekend plans, though two last-minute matchups have now propelled UCF to a 3-0 start with wins over two NCAA tournament hopefuls under its belt.
A perfect weekend for the Knights ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/nraATKDmOe
— UCF Women's Tennis (@UCF_WTennis) January 26, 2025
Similar to yesterday’s contest with No. 24 Florida State, the Knights couldn’t muster any momentum throughout doubles play. A trio of new tandems slotted in, Aya El Aouni and Olivia Lincer dropped court one, 6-2, followed shortly by Olivia Bergler and Sophia Biolay’s defeat on two by the same score.
On court three, Donatella Guarnieri shifted into the doubles lineup for the first time this season, as alongside Jade Psonka, the duo were up 4-2 before going unfinished.
Each team exchanged blows during singles, with the Knights first leveling the match as No. 85 Biolay swiftly secured court three against the Lions’ Gayathri Krishnan, 6-2, 6-0. Columbia would respond rather quickly on court six as Hannah Rylatt couldn’t find her stride opposite Amber Yin, falling in straight sets, 6-1, 6-2.
Early themes of this young season have shown UCF capable of fighting back, ringing true once again as Bergler moved to 3-0 in her collegiate career with a dominating win on court four against Sophia Wang, 6-2, 6-1.
One freshman triumph would lead to two more as the Black and Gold never surrendered momentum back. Yesterday’s hero Psonka shifted down to court five and disposed of Winta Tewolde in straight sets, 6-0, 6-4, to put UCF within one. The clincher would come on court one as El Aouni, already 2-0 on court two in 2025, dominated the Lions’ Fatima Keita, 6-4, 6-1.
Lincer was amidst a third set on court two with Malak El Allami before the contest went unfinished.
📩 from Fort Myers
— UCF Women's Tennis (@UCF_WTennis) January 26, 2025
Can’t wait to see you back at home next Sunday for our match against No. 25 FIU 🫡 pic.twitter.com/2WwAP9s8Hu
The Knights will be back at the USTA National Campus next weekend for a highly-anticipated matchup with No. 25 FIU at Noon.
Singles Results
1. Aya El Aouni (UCF) def. Fatima Keita (COL) 6-4, 6-1
2. Olivia Lincer (UCF) vs. Malak El Allami (COL) 6-3, 5-7 unfinished
3. Sophia Biolay (UCF) def. Gayathri Krishnan (COL) 6-2, 6-0
4. Olivia Bergler (UCF) def. Sophia Wang (COL) 6-2, 6-1
5. Jade Psonka (UCF) def. Winta Tewolde (COL) 6-0, 6-4
6. Amber Yin (COL) def. Hannah Rylatt (UCF) 6-1, 6-2
Doubles Results
1. Fatima Keita/Malak El Allami (COL) def. Aya El Aouni/Olivia Lincer (UCF) 6-2
2. Gayathri Krishnan/Sophia Strugnell (COL) def. Olivia Bergler/Sophia Biolay (UCF) 6-2
3. Donatella Guarnieri/Jade Psonka (UCF) vs. Emily Baek/Sophia Wang (COL) 4-2, unfinished