No. 20 Women's Tennis Remains Unbeaten with Sweep at South FloridaNo. 20 Women's Tennis Remains Unbeaten with Sweep at South Florida
Edward Finan / UCF Athletics

No. 20 Women's Tennis Remains Unbeaten with Sweep at South Florida

by Alex Clough
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TAMPA, Florida - A complete effort from the 20th-ranked UCF women’s tennis team on Sunday afternoon saw the Knights quickly dismantle South Florida, sweeping their neighbors to the west 4-0.

UCF (5-0) took first sets on each court in singles after having already snatched the doubles point, eventually securing the contest via freshman Olivia Bergler’s victory on court four over the Bulls (1-6).

Having dropped two of their three doubles points to open the season, the Knights displayed the same lineup that took care of business against FIU a week ago, once again securing similar fortunes to tally the early advantage this afternoon.

On court one, Aya El Aouni and Olivia Lincer continued their growing chemistry with yet another resounding effort over South Florida’s Margherita Marcon and Charlotte Ruud, 6-3. The tandem has won two on the jump and has proven their value by leading the Knights’ lineup in both singles and doubles.

While the freshman duo of Hannah Rylatt and Jade Psonka were bested on court three, 6-4, there was no time to worry for the Black and Gold, as Sophia Biolay and Bergler clinched the first point of the contest with a strong performance on court two over Melisa Senli and Kelly Vargas, 6-3. 

Our team handled our first away match of the year very well. USF pushed us in some sets and I thought we did a good job to overcome some tight moments today. We are looking forward to improving some things this week.

Head Coach Bryan Koniecko

Alongside their court-one counterparts, the quartet has dropped just eight games across four matches combined over their last two contests.

Before each court could even conclude their first sets in singles, sophomore Olivia Lincer had already doubled the Knights’ lead, claiming court two over Marcon, 6-0, 6-0, in under an hour of play. The brilliant display marks the reigning Big 12 Freshman of the Year’s first double-sweep in a dual match at the collegiate level.

The 102nd-ranked Biolay would claim her match on court three with a bagel of her own, defeating Ruud 7-5, 6-0, to move the Black and Gold within one. After being handed her first collegiate loss last Sunday against FIU, Bergler proved her fortitude with a sturdy effort on court four, topping Vargas in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2, her second clinch of the season.

El Aouni, who rose to 87th in the nation in the latest ITA rankings, was taking control of the contest on court one before going unfinished at 6-4, 3-2. Rylatt and Donatella Guarnieri both led 2-1 in the second set after each had won their first sets.

The Knights will return home for their first doubleheader of the campaign, welcoming Stetson (noon) and Air Force (6 p.m.) on Friday to the USTA National Campus.

Singles Results

1. #87 Aya El Aouni vs. (UCF) Melisa Senli (USF) 6-4, 3-2, unfinished

2. Olivia Lincer (UCF) def. Margherita Marcon (USF) 6-0, 6-0

3. #102 Sophia Biolay (UCF) def. Charlotte Ruud (USF) 7-5, 6-0

4. Olivia Bergler (UCF) def. Kelly Vargas (USF) 6-3, 6-2

5. Hannah Rylatt (UCF) vs. Gargi Pawar (USF) 7-6(2), 2-1, unfinished

6. Donatella Guarnieri (UCF) vs. Karine Kulidjian (USF) 7-5, 2-1, unfinished

Doubles Results

1. Aya El Aouni/Olivia Lincer (UCF) def. Margherita Marcon/Charlotte Ruud (USF) 6-3

2. Sophia Biolay/Olivia Bergler (UCF) def. Melisa Senli/Kelly Vargas (USF) 6-3

3. Karine Kulidjian/Gargi Pawar (USF) def. Hannah Rylatt/Jade Psonka (UCF) 6-4