February 13, 2026

Army Outduels Spartans in Home Opener

Team Stats

Game Statistics	Army	Tampa
Score	4	0

Doubles

Stacey Samonte / Madison Smith def. Karine Kulidjian / Rebecca Presley 6-1
Olivia Mellynchuk / Emily Ruckno def. Nicole Casas / Mia Zorrilla 7-6 (10-8)
Ylan Duong / Vennmuki Mathivanan def. Sophie Wagner / Alexandra Chebli 6-0
No player / No player def. No player / No player FINAL - UNFINISHED
No player / No player def. No player / No player FINAL - UNFINISHED
No player / No player def. No player / No player FINAL - UNFINISHED

Singles

Rebecca Presley def. Emma Sy FINAL - UNFINISHED
Olivia Mellynchuk def. Karine Kulidjian 7-5 , 6-3
Olivia Manson def. Ida Axelsson 6-4 , 6-3
Linn Eriksson def. Chelsie Son FINAL - UNFINISHED
Alexandra Oshidar def. Gabi Sanchez 6-2 , 6-2
Max Lippens def. Allison Harris FINAL - UNFINISHED
No player def. No player FINAL - UNFINISHED
No player def. No player FINAL - UNFINISHED
No player def. No player FINAL - UNFINISHED
No player def. No player FINAL - UNFINISHED

TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Tampa tennis team returned to the Naimoli & Young Family Tennis Complex on Friday afternoon, hosting Army West Point in its first home match of the 2026 season. The Spartans pushed several courts deep into competitive territory, especially in singles, but the Black Knights controlled key moments to secure a 4–0 decision.

Final Score: Army Black Knights 4, University of Tampa Spartans 0
Location: Naimoli & Young Family Tennis Complex | Tampa, Fla.
Records: Tampa (0-2), Army (10-2)
Series History: This marks the first meeting between the programs.

How it Happened

Army opened the afternoon by sweeping through doubles play to earn the opening point. On court one, Karine Kulidjian / Rebecca Presley generated early pressure at the net, but the Black Knights' pairing of Stacey Samonte / Madison Smith found their rhythm late to close out a 6–1 decision.

Court two delivered the tightest doubles contest of the day, where Nicole Casas / Mia Zorrilla pushed Army to a tiebreak in both regulation and the deciding frame. The Spartans fought off multiple set points, but Olivia Mellynchuk / Emily Ruckno edged out the final rallies to seal a 7–6 (10–8) win.

Army completed the sweep on court three with a 6–0 result over Sophie Wagner / Alexandra Chebli.

In singles play, Tampa showed strong resilience across several courts. Court one saw Rebecca Presley rebound from a challenging opening set, powering through the second to force a decisive third which she led 6-4 before the match was left unfinished.

On court four, Linn Eriksson Sundling played her most assertive match of the season, grabbing the opening set 6–3 and applying consistent pressure deep into the second. She held a 6–3, 3-3 tie when play was halted.

Army, however, secured straight-set victories on courts two, three, and five to clinch the match. Karine Kulidjian, Ida Axelsson, and Gabi Sanchez each produced extended exchanges but were unable to shift momentum against steady Black Knight shot-making.

Court six also remained unfinished after an intense first-set tiebreak and a back‑and‑forth second set from Max Lippens, who trailed by just a single game when the match was stopped.

Doubles Results

Stacey Samonte / Madison Smith (Army) def. Karine Kulidjian / Rebecca Presley (Tampa) 6–1
Olivia Mellynchuk / Emily Ruckno (Army) def. Nicole Casas / Mia Zorrilla (Tampa) 7–6 (10–8)
Ylan Duong / Vennmuki Mathivanan (Army) def. Sophie Wagner / Alexandra Chebli (Tampa) 6–0

Singles Results

Emma Sy (Army) vs. Rebecca Presley (Tampa) 6–2, 5–7, 4-6, unf.
Olivia Mellynchuk (Army) def. Karine Kulidjian (Tampa) 7–5, 6–3
Olivia Manson (Army) def. Ida Axelsson (Tampa) 6–4, 6–3
Linn Eriksson Sundling (Tampa) vs. Chelsie Son (Army) 6–3, 3-3, unf.
Alexandra Oshidar (Army) def. Gabi Sanchez (Tampa) 6–2, 6–2
Allison Harris (Army) vs. Max Lippens (Tampa) 7–6 (7–6), 5–4, unf.

Up Next

The Spartans stay home, where they will host Palm Beach Atlantic University on Saturday at 11 a.m.