No. 42 Women's Tennis Sweeps No. 35 Utah, 4-0No. 42 Women's Tennis Sweeps No. 35 Utah, 4-0

No. 42 Women's Tennis Sweeps No. 35 Utah, 4-0

by Ainsley Keaveny

ORLANDO- The No. 42 women’s tennis team completed a perfect opening weekend in Big 12 play, closing out a two-match homestand with a 4-0 sweep of No. 35 Utah on Saturday afternoon at the USTA National Campus.

The victory capped off a strong opening Big 12 weekend for the Knights, who earned conference wins against both BYU and Utah bringing UCF to 2-0 in conference play. The Black and Gold now move to 9-1 on the season.

UCF set the tone early in doubles play as Jade Psonka and Vladislava Andreevskaya worked quickly on court three, earning a sweep (6-0). On court one, Jantje Tilbuerger and Marina Gatell dropped the opening game before responding with six straight to secure a 6-1 victory and clinch the doubles point for the Knights.

On court two, the No.61-ranked duo of Olivia Bergler and Lauren Seye were locked in a tight battle with Utah’s Sara Akid and Hayley Roberts. The match stood at 4-3 in favor of the Utes when UCF secured the doubles point. 

Carrying that momentum into singles, freshman Seye delivered a dominant 6-1,6-0 win to give the Black and Gold an early 2-0 lead. Moments later, Psonka took the match on court six in clean fashion, 6-4, 6-0, putting the Knights one point away from clinching the match.

After edging a tight first set in a tiebreak against Utah’s Akid, Tilbuerger closed out the match on court two 7-6, 6-0 to secure the sweep for UCF. The win on court two, marked back-to-back clinches for Tilbuerger to open up conference competition. 

UP NEXT
The Knights are set to travel to Arizona for a pair of matches beginning March 6 at 2 p.m. in Tucson against Arizona, followed by a March 8 contest in Tempe against Arizona State.

Singles Results

  1. Olivia Bergler (UCF) vs. #81 Emma Kamper (UU): 6-3, 1-6, 0-1, unfinished  
  2. Jantje Tilbuerger (UCF) def. Sara Akid (UU): 7-6 (7-4), 6-0
  3. Marina Gatell (UCF) vs. Kaila Barksdale (UU): 5-7, 1-4, unfinished
  4. Vladislava Andreevskaya (UCF) vs. Emma Valletta (UU): 6-1, 1-6, 3-2, unfinished
  5. Lauren Seye (UCF) def. Hayley Roberts (UU): 6-1, 6-0
  6. Jade Psonka (UCF) def. Andjelija Markovic (UU): 6-4, 6-1

Doubles Play

  1. Jantje Tilbuerger/Marina Gatell (UCF) def. Emma Kamper/Emma Valletta (UU): 6-1  
  2. No. #54 Olivia Bergler/Lauren Seye (UCF) vs. Hayley Roberts/Sara Akid (UU): 3-4, unfinished
  3. Jade Psonka/V. Andreevskaya (UCF) def. Dylan Lolofie/Andjelija Markovic (UU): 6-0

ABOUT UCF ATHLETICS
UCF is a proud member of the Big 12 Conference. Our mission is to positively transform the lives of our students academically, athletically, and personally through a nationally competitive intercollegiate athletics program that enhances the reputation and visibility of the University. We strive to be Florida's preeminent athletic program, representing UCF and our community with distinction on the national stage as "Orlando's Hometown Team". To learn more about UCF and Athletics, please visit our websites at www.ucf.edu and www.ucfknights.com.