Alabama
UCF
No. 37 Alabama Falls to No. 23 UCF in Round One of NCAA Tournament
5/3/2019 12:56:00 PM | Women's Tennis
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The No. 37 Alabama women's tennis team ended its season in a 4-0 decision to No. 23 UCF in the first round of the NCAA Tournament Friday at the Scott Speicher Tennis Center.
The Crimson Tide concludes the dual match season with an 18-12 record, while the American Athletic Conference Champions, the UCF Knights (23-3) advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
"We competed hard today against a tough UCF team," head coach Jenny Mainz said. "We had some chances in doubles and could not finish. I believe UCF gained momentum and ran with it. Again, I'm proud of the way this team competed today and all season. We've shown the attitude, competitive character and energy that exemplifies the Alabama way. We had strong leadership from senior captain Andie Daniell and our team culture is as strong and positive as it's ever been in my tenure at Alabama. We have an incredible group of young ladies that have stepped up and represented Alabama in a first-class manner. We have lots of positives to build on for next season."
Doubles action began with all three courts deadlocked at 2-2, until UCF picked up momentum and took the lead with a 6-2 win on court two. No. 26 Valeriya Zeleva and Ksenia Kuznetsova clinched the doubles point over senior Andie Daniell and sophomore Moka Ito on court one.
In singles, UCF took the first set in all six singles matches except on court one, where No. 36 Daniell downed No. 40 Zeleva, 6-3. The Knights extended their lead on courts three and two, Rebeka Stolmar fought past junior Alba Cortina Pou, 6-3, 6-1, and No. 82 Kuznetsova topped Ito, 6-4, 6-0. Sara Culbertson sealed the victory for UCF with 6-2, 6-2, win over junior Ann Selim on court six. Daniell was battling Zeleva for a second straight set on court one when the match was clinched.
"I'm proud of this team and feel like we improved immensely through the season. We made a huge jump from January to May, individually and as a team. We got better and better with each match. We had a few players make complete turnarounds in the right direction. We fought, scrapped, dug, clawed and gritted our way through some big-time wins, including Florida in Gainesville, Fla. for the first time in program history."
Daniell will continue her season in the NCAA Singles Tournament beginning Monday, May 20, in Orlando, Fla. Draws will be announced later.
Alabama Results
Doubles
1. No. 26 Valeryia Zeleva/Ksenia Kuznetsova (UCF) def. Andie Daniell/Moka Ito (UA) 6-4
2. Rebeka Stolmar/Marie Mattel (UCF) def. Luca Fabian/Jacqueline Pelletier (UA) 6-2
3. Natalia Serrano/Domenika Turkovic (UCF) vs. Ann Selim/Alba Cortina Pou (UA) 5-4, unfinished
Order of Finish: 2, 1
Singles
1. No. 40 Valeryia Zeleva (UCF) vs. No. 36 Andie Daniell (UA) 3-6, 5-4, unfinished
2. No. 82 Ksenia Kuznetsova (UCF) def. Moka Ito (UA) 6-4, 6-0
3. Rebeka Stolmar (UCF) def. Alba Cortina Pou (UA) 6-3, 6-1
4. Nandini Sharma (UCF) vs. Jacqueline Pelletier (UA) 6-3, 3-4, unfinished
5. Domenika Turkovic (UCF) vs. Luca Fabian (UA) 6-4, 2-2, unfinished
6. Sara Culbertson (UCF) def. Ann Selim (UA) 6-2, 6-2
Order of Finish: 3, 2, 6
Get all the latest information on the team by following @AlabamaWTN on Twitter and Facebook and AlabamaWTN on Instagram. General athletic news can also be found at UA_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and AlabamaAthletics on Facebook.
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Team Stats
#1 Doubles Match
#2 Doubles Match
#3 Doubles Match
Order of Finish:
2,1
#1 Singles Match
#2 Singles Match
#3 Singles Match
#4 Singles Match
#5 Singles Match
#6 Singles Match
Order of Finish:
3,2,6
Players Mentioned
