The UCF women’s tennis team, ranked No. 24 nationally, began its 2026 season with a 4-1 win over South Florida at the USTA National Campus in Orlando on Sunday. The victory marks the team’s 14th consecutive home win at this venue.
UCF lost the doubles point after South Florida secured wins on courts one and three. Daryna Shoshyna and Marina Gatell earned a doubles victory for UCF on court two with a score of 6-3, but South Florida’s pairs responded by winning the other two matches, including a tiebreaker on court three.
After a weather delay that lasted nearly two hours, UCF shifted momentum in singles play. Shoshyna led with a decisive 6-0, 6-1 win over Melisa Senli. Jantje Tilbuerger followed by defeating Margherita Marcon 6-3, 6-2. Jade Psonka added another point for UCF with her 6-2, 6-3 result against Amelie Drukerova. Marina Gatell clinched the match for UCF by overcoming Francesca Miglio in straight sets.
Unfinished singles matches included Olivia Bergler versus Sienna Leeson (Bergler leading) and Lauren Seye versus Charlotte Ruud (Seye leading).
The team will next compete at ITA Kickoff Weekend in Baton Rouge, Louisiana at the LSU Tennis Complex. Their first-round match is scheduled against UCLA on Saturday, January 24. Depending on results from earlier matches that day, UCF will face either LSU or Marshall later in the weekend.
“Simply could ‘Naut miss our first win of the season,” stated the official team account.
