No. 20 Women’s Tennis Rolls Past Navy, 4-1, NCAA Opening RoundNo. 20 Women’s Tennis Rolls Past Navy, 4-1, NCAA Opening Round
Jaylynn Nash

No. 20 Women’s Tennis Rolls Past Navy, 4-1, NCAA Opening Round

by Aiden Kocol
Box Score (PDF)

RALEIGH, N.C. – The No. 20 women’s tennis team slipped comfortably back into postseason form Friday afternoon, opening NCAA Tournament play with a commanding 4-1 win over Navy.

The victory improves the Knights to 21-4 on the season and sends them to the Round of 32 for the second consecutive year. It also marks the sixth second-round appearance in program history—all under head coach Bryan Koniecko.

The Black and Gold wasted no time taking control in doubles action. Jantje Tilbuerger and Marina Gatell delivered a decisive 6-1 win on court one, giving the Knights an early edge. Though Navy responded with a 6-2 victory on court two, the momentum proved to be short-lived. 

In their first match as a pairing, Olivia Bergler and Donatella Guarnieri secured the doubles point with a 6-3 win on court three, sending the Knights into singles competition with the advantage.

Despite a rain delay halting play early in singles action, the Knights showed no signs of disruption once the match shifted indoors. Tilbuerger led the charge on the top court, grinding out a 6-4 first set before completely taking over in the second. She dominated from start to finish, cruising to a 6-0 shutout to give the Knights a solid 2-0 cushion early. 

Navy briefly answered with a point on court four, grinding out a 6-1, 7(7)-6(2) victory, but the response from the Knights was immediate, giving the Midshipmen little chance to build any momentum.

Gatell delivered the first blow, earning a composed 6-2, 6-4 win on court three. The victory marked the freshman’s first NCAA Tournament triumph, adding to what has been a remarkable season. A steady presence in the lineup, Gatell has anchored the Knights on court three for most of the year and now boasts a 16-3 dual-match record, including six clinching wins.

Bergler provided the finishing touch, though. After cruising through her opening set 6-0, she was pushed into a tense second-set tiebreak with a trip to the second round on the line. Unfazed by the pressure, Bergler took control when it mattered most and sealed the match with a 7(7)-6(1) victory. 

UP NEXT
The Knights return to action Saturday, May 2, facing the winner of the NC State–Morgan State matchup at 5 p.m. ET inside the J.W. Isenhour Tennis Center. With a victory, they would advance to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since the 2021 season. 

SINGLES RESULTS

  1. Jantje Tilbuerger (UCF) def. Emma Gu (NAVY) 6-4, 6-0
  2. Olivia Bergler (UCF) def. Nicole Fu (NAVY) 6-0, 7-6 (7-1)
  3. Marina Gatell (UCF) def. Grace Li (NAVY) 6-2, 6-4
  4. Peyton Philemon (NAVY) def. V. Andreevskaya (UCF) 6-1, 7-6 (7-2)
  5. Jade Psonka (UCF) vs. Anna Wiskowski (NAVY) 6-2, 1-2 unfinished
  6. Donatella Guarnieri (UCF) vs. Jina Cha (NAVY) 1-6, 1-0 unfinished

DOUBLES RESULTS

  1.  Marina Gatell and Jantje Tilbuerger (UCF) def. Olivia Fermo and Nicole Fu (NAVY) 6-1
  2. Peyton Philemon and Anna Jordaan (NAVY) def. V. Andreevskaya and Jade Psonka (UCF) 6-2
  3. Olivia Bergler and Donatella Guarnieri (UCF) def. Julia Lee and Grace Li (NAVY) 6-3