ORLANDO, Fla. – The University of Sioux Falls Women's Tennis team battled through a challenging slate of nonconference opponents during its Spring Break trip to Florida, competing in five duals across the week against strong regional competition.
While the Cougars finished the trip with a 0-5 record, the week provided valuable experience against quality programs and featured several competitive matches, including multiple three-set battles and a number of strong individual performances throughout the lineup.
USF showed resilience across the week, with several Cougars pushing matches to decisive tiebreaks and competing closely against opponents from multiple conferences.
Sydney Osburn,
Sofiya Janos, and
Mylin Lemke each earned singles victories during the trip, while the Cougars also found success in doubles play with key wins against Saginaw Valley State.
Despite the results, the Cougars continued to show fight and growth throughout the demanding stretch of matches, gaining valuable momentum as they prepare to return to Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play later this spring.
Coaches Corner
"We came to Orlando to compete against some very tough teams, and the scores don't always reflect how well the girls competed each day," head coach
Kevin Grebin said. "I'm incredibly proud of our team this week. USF Tennis represented the university with great character, effort, and sportsmanship throughout the entire trip."
Match One: Cedarville 5, USF 2
The Cougars opened the trip against Cedarville University in Kissimmee, Florida. Cedarville secured the doubles point before USF battled through several tight singles matches.
Sydney Osburn and
Mylin Lemke each recorded victories for the Cougars. Osburn earned a hard-fought three-set win at No. 2 singles, while Lemke closed out another tight match with a super tiebreak victory at No. 6.
Results
Doubles
#1: Ivanikhina/Guzic (CU) def. Siegfort/Franciliso (USF), 6-2
#2: Phillipps/Curci Micieli (CU) def. Doom/Hanson (USF), 6-2
#3: Monson/Mahek (CU) def. Zink/Heath (USF), 6-2
Singles
#1: Ivanikhina (CU) def.
Sofiya Janos (USF), 6-2, 6-2
#2:
Sydney Osburn (USF) def. Guzic (CU), 6-4, 0-6, 10-7
#3: Phillipps (CU) def.
Ella Hancock (USF), 4-6, 6-1, 10-5
#4: Curci Micieli (CU) def.
Emily Thinnsen (USF), 6-1, 4-6, 10-6
#5: Monson (CU) def.
Emma Rangel (USF), 7-6, 3-7, 10-8
#6:
Mylin Lemke (USF) def. Prince (CU), 6-3, 4-6, 10-8
Match Two: Mary Washington 6, USF 1
USF returned to the courts the following day against University of Mary Washington in Orlando.
The Cougars picked up a doubles win at No. 3 as
Emily Thinnsen and
Mylin Lemke teamed up for a 6-2 victory. In singles play,
Sydney Osburn recorded USF's lone point with a dominant 6-3, 6-0 win at No. 3.
Results
Doubles
#1: Kim/Felts (UMW) def. Siegfort/Janos (USF), 6-2
#2: Broomall/Rotaru (UMW) def. Osburn/Hancock (USF), 6-1
#3: Thinnsen/Lemke (USF) def. Holman/Copeland (UMW), 6-2
Singles
#1: Kim (UMW) def.
Chloe Siegfort (USF), 6-1, 6-3
#2: Sandoval Banuelos (UMW) def.
Sofiya Janos (USF), 2-6, 6-2, 10-5
#3:
Sydney Osburn (USF) def. Snyder (UMW), 6-3, 6-0
#4: Broomall (UMW) def.
Ella Hancock (USF), 6-2, 6-1
#5: Howell (UMW) def.
Emily Thinnsen (USF), 6-4, 6-4
#6: Feltman (UMW) def.
Emma Rangel (USF), 6-2, 6-1
Match Three: Michigan Tech 7, USF 0
The Cougars faced Michigan Technological University in Altamonte Springs, where the Huskies swept the match.
Michigan Tech claimed all three doubles matches and carried the momentum into singles play, winning each court in straight sets.
Results
Doubles
#1: Bigari/Rose (MTU) def. Osburn/Hancock (USF), 6-0
#2: Cojocaru/McDonnell (MTU) def. Doom/Hanson (USF), 6-0
#3: Nikonenko/Ukic (MTU) def. Franciliso/Heath (USF), 6-2
Singles
#1: Nikonenko (MTU) def.
Athena Franciliso (USF), 6-0, 6-1
#2: Bigari (MTU) def.
Kailyn Heath (USF), 6-0, 6-2
#3: Cojocaru (MTU) def.
Karly Doom (USF), 6-0, 6-0
#4: McDonnell (MTU) def.
Audrey Hanson (USF), 6-0, 6-2
#5: Rose (MTU) def.
Ellie Zink (USF), 6-0, 6-1
#6: Ukic (MTU) def.
Kara Termaat (USF), 6-0, 6-0
Match Four: Saginaw Valley State 5, USF 2
The Cougars turned in one of their strongest doubles performances of the trip against Saginaw Valley State University, winning two of three matches to secure the doubles point.
Sydney Osburn and
Ella Hancock earned a 7-5 win at No. 2, while
Emily Thinnsen and
Mylin Lemke followed with a 7-4 victory at No. 3. In singles play,
Sofiya Janos picked up a three-set victory at No. 2.
Results
Doubles
#1: Diamantopoulos/Butt (SVSU) def. Siegfort/Janos (USF), 6-3
#2: Osburn/Hancock (USF) def. Dickson/Liong (SVSU), 7-5
#3: Thinnsen/Lemke (USF) def. Diamantopoulos/Lucke (SVSU), 7-4
Singles
#1: Diamantopoulos (SVSU) def.
Chloe Siegfort (USF), 6-3, 6-1
#2:
Sofiya Janos (USF) def. Dickson (SVSU), 6-2, 1-6, 10-4
#3: Diamantopoulos (SVSU) def.
Sydney Osburn (USF), 6-0, 6-0
#4: Butt (SVSU) def.
Ella Hancock (USF), 6-1, 6-4
#5: Lucke (SVSU) def.
Emily Thinnsen (USF), 6-1, 6-4
#6: Schoenherr (SVSU) def.
Emma Rangel (USF), 6-0, 6-1
Match Five: Tampa 6, USF 1
The Cougars closed the week against University of Tampa at the Lake Cane Tennis Center.
Ella Hancock secured USF's lone point of the dual with a straight-set win at No. 4 singles.
Results
Doubles
#1: Axelsson/Kulidjian (UT) def. Siegfort/Janos (USF), 6-2
#2: Presley/Wagner (UT) def. Hancock/Osburn (USF), 6-3
#3: Lippen/Sanchez (UT) def. Thinnsen/Lemke (USF), 6-0
Singles
#1: Presley (UT) def.
Chloe Siegfort (USF), 6-2, 6-0
#2: Kulidjian (UT) def.
Sofiya Janos (USF), 6-1, 7-6
#3: Lippen (UT) def.
Sydney Osburn (USF), 7-5, 4-6, 10-0
#4:
Ella Hancock (USF) def. Zorrilla (UT), 6-1, 7-5
#5: Sanchez (UT) def.
Emily Thinnsen (USF), 6-0, 6-1
#6: Wagner (UT) def.
Emma Rangel (USF), 6-0, 6-1
Up Next
The Cougars return home to take on Fort Hays State on March 17th at Huether Family Match Pointe at 12pm.
Stay Connected
For all things USF Tennis, be sure to download the USF Cougars app as well as follow along on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Be the first to know what's going on inside USF Athletics by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter!
