FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Columbia women’s tennis team narrowly missed securing an upset on Sunday afternoon, falling 4-2 to the No. 23-ranked UCF in Fort Myers.
After their opening match victory against Florida Gulf Coast last Monday, Columbia now holds a record of 1-1 to kick off the season. Following this competition in Florida, the Lions are set to host a doubleheader against Maryland and Hofstra at home on Friday.
Columbia showcased impressive skills in doubles play at the start of the match. The top duo of Fatima Keita and Malak El Allami dominated their match, defeating Aya El Aouni and Olivia Lincer with a score of 6-2. Additionally, Gayathri Krishnan and Sophia Strugnell clinched the doubles point for Columbia, also winning their match 6-2 against UCF’s Olivia Bergler and Sophia Biolay in the No. 2 slot.
In the No. 3 doubles match, Emily Baek and Sophia Wang faced UCF’s Jade Psonka and Donatella Guarnieri. The match was left unfinished with Psonka and Guarnieri leading 4-2 when play was halted due to Columbia’s earlier success in securing the doubles point.
However, UCF responded strongly in singles play, rallying to grab the overall victory with wins in the first, third, fourth, and fifth singles matches.
The standout performance for Columbia came from first-year player Amber Yin, who achieved the Lions’ only singles win of the match. Yin triumphed over Hannah Rylatt, winning in straight sets with a score of 6-1, 6-2 in the No. 6 position.
RESULTS
#23 UCF 4, Columbia 2
Singles
1. Aya El Aouni (UCF) def. Fatima Keita (COL) 6-4, 6-1
2. Olivia Lincer (UCF) vs. Malak El Allami (COL) 6-3, 5-7, unfinished
3. #85 Sophia Biolay (UCF) def. Gayathri Krishnan (COL) 6-2, 6-0
4. Olivia Bergler (UCF) def. Sophia Wang (COL) 6-2, 6-1
5. Jade Psonka (UCF) def. Winta Tewolde (COL) 6-0, 6-4
6. Amber Yin (COL) def. Hannah Rylatt (UCF) 6-1, 6-2
Doubles
1. Fatima Keita/Malak El Allami (COL) def. Aya El Aouni/Olivia Lincer (UCF) 6-2
2. Gayathri Krishnan/Sophia Strugnell (COL) def. Olivia Bergler/Sophia Biolay (UCF) 6-2
3. Jade Psonka/Donatella Guarnieri (UCF) vs. Emily Baek/Sophia Wang (COL) 4-2, unfinished
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2); Singles (3,6,4,5,1)
UP NEXT
Columbia will be hosting Maryland and Hofstra at the Philip and Cheryl Milstein Family Tennis Center for a doubleheader on January 31. The Lions are scheduled to face Maryland at 11 a.m. and will conclude the day with a 3 p.m. matchup against Hofstra.
FOLLOWING THE LIONS
Stay updated on Columbia Women’s Tennis by following them on Twitter (@CULionsWTEN), Instagram (@culionswten), and Facebook (@ColumbiaAthletics).
