No. 22 Women's Tennis Dominates Big 12 Quarterfinals Contest Against BYU 4-1No. 22 Women's Tennis Dominates Big 12 Quarterfinals Contest Against BYU 4-1

No. 22 Women's Tennis Dominates Big 12 Quarterfinals Contest Against BYU 4-1

by Alex Clough

WACO, Texas - With a regular-season title already under its belt, the No. 22 UCF women’s tennis team began its quest for another crown in style, defeating seventh-seeded BYU, 4-1, in the Big 12 Championship quarterfinals.

In a more calm performance than a 4-3 triumph against the Cougars in Utah a week ago today, the Knights overcame the early deficit in what was yet another flawless showing in singles. 

An over-hour-long doubles affair set the tone for the second session of quarterfinal contests, with the Cougars replicating their performance in Utah just over a week ago to secure the early advantage.

The Knights didn’t waste any time on the front court, as the 41st-ranked duo of Olivia Lincer and Hannah Rylatt dominated BYU’s Chelsea Bluestein and Kendall Kovick, 6-1. Breaking their four-match winless skid, the duo tallied their third bout this season allowing the opposition just one game. 

While it looked like UCF’s court-one prowess would carry onto the back two, the Cougars tallied a pair of crucial breaks at five-all, taking three shortly after before a court-two tiebreaker fell their way. Sophia Biolay and Aya El Aouni were handed their first defeat together since a February 23rd match with Penn, having taken 10 wins from 10 during the strong run of form.

Just as singles play commenced, the Knights leveled the match following a BYU retirement on court four, with Jade Psonka reaching the double-digit mark in wins to continue what has been a brilliant freshman campaign. 

Five consecutive first sets on the remaining courts followed for the Black and Gold, a torrent charge back into the driver's seat that didn’t take long to pay dividends.

Olivia Bergler’s seven-match winning streak was never in jeopardy on court five this afternoon, bageling Sue Yan Tan in the first before a composed performance in the second gifted the Knights their first lead of the contest, 6-0, 6-2. The freshman has outscored opponents 122-55 over her last 10, dropping just two sets in the process.

The captain put UCF within one on court three, as 112th-ranked Biolay jumped back into the win column after having her record-breaking 13-match streak snapped last against the Cougars, defeating Kendall Kovick, 6-2, 6-3.

Three Knights stood within striking distance of the clinch, as Lincer and El Aouni were up 5-4 on their respective courts, along with Rylatt, who was embarking on a second-set tiebreaker. The latter of the three was the first to the punch, taking the decider swiftly against Madison Smith on court six, 6-3, 7-6(3), for just her second collegiate clinch.

UP NEXT

A dramatic 4-3 triumph over a month ago in Stillwater against Oklahoma State set the tone for the Knights’ remaining slate. Now, with each claiming a share of the regular-season crown, an anticipated rematch with the 17th-ranked Cowgirls awaits in the semifinals. First serve is expected for 11 a.m. ET/10 a.m. CT tomorrow morning at the Hurd Tennis Center.

Singles Results

  1. No. 98 Olivia Lincer (UCF) vs. Bobo Huang (BYU) 6-3, 5-5
  2. Aya El Aouni (UCF) def. Grace Levelston (BYU) 6-3, 5-4, unfinished
    3. No. 112 Sophia Biolay (UCF) def. Kendall Kovick (BYU) 6-2, 6-3
  3. Jade Psonka (UCF) def. Chelsea Bluestein (BYU) 1-0, retired
  4. Olivia Bergler (UCF) def. Sue Yan Tan (BYU) 6-0, 6-2
    6. Hannah Rylatt (UCF) def. Madison Smith (BYU) 6-3, 7-6(3)

Doubles Results

  1. No. 41 Olivia Lincer/Hannah Rylatt (UCF) def. Chelsea Bluestein/Kendall Kovick (BYU) 6-1
  2. Sophia Biolay/Aya El Aouni (UCF) Bobo Huang/Sue Yan Tan (BYU)
  3. Olivia Bergler/Jade Psonka (UCF) Grace Levelston/Madison Smith (BYU)