ORLANDO - The Georgia Southern women's tennis squad fell by a 7-0 score to No. 18 UCF on Sunday at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, Fla..
The Knights improved to 3-2 on the season with the win, while Georgia Southern falls to 0-2 with the loss. The Eagles will open up their home slate on Wednesday, February 9, hosting the College of Charleston in a 1:30 p.m. match at the Wallis Tennis Courts.
UCF captured the doubles point at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles, but the Eagles battled to win a pair of first sets in the singles competition, including Nadja Meier taking the first set from No. 64-ranked Valeriya Zeleva, 6-1. The Knights picked up straight set wins at No. 3 and No. 5 singles, then Zeleva came back to claim the No. 1 singles match with 6-3, 6-1 set wins to clinch the match.
Silvia Martinez-Jimenez was the other Eagle to notch a first set win, over Nadja Bay Christians at No. 4 singles.
"Today, I believe we put up a huge effort overall against an extremely strong team," Georgia Southern Head Women's Tennis Coach Sean McCaffrey said. "We definitely noticed a number of really good things that I'm impressed with from the squad today. At the same time, we have a lot of work ahead of us in order to get where we believe we can be as a team. Still, we had a very good day and I'm pleased with the performance. Now we are focused on getting ready to host the College of Charleston on Wednesday at Wallis!"
RESULTS
Singles
#64 Valeriya Zeleva (UCF) def. Nadja Meier (GS) 1-6, 6-3, 6-1
#37 Evgeniya Levashova (UCF) def. Dana Heimen (GS) 6-4, 6-2
Noel Saidenova (UCF) def. Sophie Wagemaker (GS) 6-1, 6-2
Nadja Bay Christians (UCF) def. Silvia Martinez Jimenez (GS) 2-6, 6-2. 6-1
Sophia Biolay (UCF) def. Paula Hijos (GS) 6-3, 6-1
Jaleesa Leslie (UCF) def. Elizabeth Goines (GS) 6-4, 6-3
Doubles
#50 Valeriya Zeleva/Evgeniya Levashova (UCF) led Dana Heimen/Sonja Keranen (GS) 5-2, unfinished
Nadja Bay Christians/Noel Saidenova (UCF) def. Nadja Meier/Silvia Martinez Jimenez (GS) 6-2
Jaleesa Leslie/Sophia Biolay (UCF) def. Sophie Wagemaker/Paula Hijos (GS) 6-1
