No. 23 Women's Tennis Prevails in Dramatic Comeback Against No. 24 Florida StateNo. 23 Women's Tennis Prevails in Dramatic Comeback Against No. 24 Florida State

No. 23 Women's Tennis Prevails in Dramatic Comeback Against No. 24 Florida State

by Alex Clough
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ORLANDO - In college tennis, no lead is ever safe. 

On a stunning day at the USTA National Campus, a squad of five freshmen embarking on their second match of the season proved why culture takes the lead in difficult moments. Down 3-0 to No. 24 Florida State, the No. 23 UCF women’s tennis team fought back to secure a 4-3 win that will live long in the program’s history.

A match that wasn’t even on the schedule 72 hours ago saw the Knights (2-0) secure the first-ranked win of the season, shocking the Seminoles (2-1) in the first of a weekend doubleheader.

After a promising doubles display against Georgia Southern in the season opener, the Knights weren't able to find their footing against the Seminoles. Even throughout the first few games, Florida State pulled away on courts one and two, with Aya El Aouni and Sophia Biolay falling 6-3, followed by a 6-4 Seminoles triumph against the 65th-ranked Olivia Lincer and Hannah Rylatt.

Florida State didn’t let its foot off the gas to start singles, taking first sets on four courts before eventually doubling their advantage after Rylaltt dropped her court six bout, 6-2, 6-2. An eventual win on three, with Biolay falling, 6-4, 6-3, left a daunting road ahead for the Knights.

It was fun to watch the team compete hard today. I’m proud of Jade for figuring out a way to win. A freshman doing that in a big moment is special and something she will always look back on. We knew we had to win some third sets after losing the doubles point and going three for three speaks on the teams fight today. Although we are happy about today’s match we have a lot of work to do to get better as a team.

Head Coach Bryan Koniecko

In situations such as these, it takes a spark to cut out any momentum, as UCF was still amidst multiple back-and-forth contests. After falling in the first set to Florida State’s Maelie Monfils, freshman Olivia Bergeler swiftly took the second before tallying the Knights’ first point of the match with a 1-6, 6-3, 6-3, triumph.

The bounce back from Bergler carried into her fellow Polish native’s bout on court one, as Lincer took back control of the match, eventually besting Eva Shaw, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. The long straight-set win from the Knights came courtesy of El Aouni, who moved to 2-0 on the season with a strong display against the Seminoles’ Parra Romero, 7-5, 6-4.

Within the blink of an eye, the Black and Gold had put themselves within striking distance to snatch the match from their in-state foe. The finale would fall to freshman Jade Psonka as the French native was embarking on a third set with Florida State’s Laura Putz on court four. Not swayed by the weight of the home faithful’s darting eyes, she weathered the storm in a climactic rubber set, putting the seal on the incredible comeback with a 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, victory.

Coach Koniecko and his squad won’t have much time to soak in the nearly four-hour bout, however, as the Knights travel south to Fort Myers tomorrow to play Columbia at noon.

Singles Results

1. Olivia Lincer (UCF) def. Eva Shaw (FSU) 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 

2. Aya El Aouni (UCF) def. Maria Parra Romero (FSU) 7-5, 6-4 

3. M.B. Deatherage (FSU) def. #85 Sophia Biolay (UCF) 6-4, 6-3 

4. Jade Psonka (UCF) def. Laura Putz (FSU) 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 

5. Olivia Bergler (UCF) def. Maelie Monfils (FSU) 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 

6. Tina Li (FSU) def. Hannah Rylatt (UCF) 6-2, 6-2

Doubles Results

1. Eva Shaw/Maria Parra Romero (FSU) def. Aya El Aouni/Sophia Biolay (UCF) 6-3

2. Laura Putz/Millie Bissett (FSU) def. No. 65 Olivia Lincer/Hannah Rylatt (UCF) 6-4

3. Tina Li/Maelie Monfils (FSU) vs. Olivia Bergler/Jade Psonka (UCF) 5-4, unfinished