February 21, 2026

Tennis Falls Short in Close Contest

Team Stats

Game Statistics	Tampa	Saint Leo
Score	3	4

Doubles

Candice Bernier / Catherine Rabatin def. Karine Kulidjian / Ida Axelsson 6-4
Nicole Casas / Rebecca Presley def. Camila Keller / Deren Ozel 6-4
Sophia Johnson / Nicol Novak def. Gabi Sanchez / Linn Eriksson 6-1

Singles

Candice Bernier def. Rebecca Presley 6-2 , 6-2
Deren Ozel def. Nicole Casas 6-4 , 6-0
Camila Keller def. Karine Kulidjian 6-2 , 6-0
Ida Axelsson def. Nicol Novak 6-3 , 5-7 , 12-10
Linn Eriksson def. Catherine Rabatin 6-0 , 6-2
Max Lippens def. Sophia Johnson 2-6 , 6-4 , 10-8

TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Tampa tennis team battled through a tightly contested road matchup on Saturday morning, ultimately falling 4–3 to Sunshine State Conference opponent Saint Leo University at the Saint Leo Tennis Complex. Despite strong performances across the lineup, including a dramatic super‑tiebreak victory at No. 4 singles, the Spartans came up just short against the Lions.

Final Score: Saint Leo 4, Tampa 3
Records: Saint Leo (2-2, 2-1 SSC), Tampa (1-3, 1-2 SSC)
Location: Saint Leo Tennis Complex | Saint Leo, Fla.
Series History: Saint Leo now holds a 36-28 lead in the all-time series.

How It Happened

Saint Leo claimed the early advantage by taking two of the three doubles courts to secure the opening point. Tampa responded with grit in singles, pushing four courts to decisive moments.

The Spartans rallied late behind a super‑tiebreak win from Ida Axelsson at No. 4 and another three‑set battle from Max Lippens at No. 6. However, straight‑set wins by the Lions at the top three singles positions proved to be the edge Saint Leo needed to close out the conference clash.

Doubles Results

Candice Bernier / Catherine Rabatin (Saint Leo) def. Karine Kulidjian / Ida Axelsson (Tampa) 6–4
Nicole Casas / Rebecca Presley (Tampa) def. Camila Keller / Deren Ozel (Saint Leo) 6–4
Sophia Johnson / Nicol Novak (Saint Leo) def. Gabi Sanchez / Linn Eriksson Sundling (Tampa) 6–1

Singles Results

Candice Bernier (Saint Leo) def. Rebecca Presley (Tampa) 6–2, 6–2
Deren Ozel (Saint Leo) def. Nicole Casas (Tampa) 6–4, 6–4
Camila Keller (Saint Leo) def. Karine Kulidjian (Tampa) 6–2, 6–2
Ida Axelsson (Tampa) def. Nicol Novak (Saint Leo) 6–3, 5–7, 12–10
Catherine Rabatin (Saint Leo) def. Linn Eriksson Sundling (Tampa) 6–1, 6–0
Max Lippens (Tampa) def. Sophia Johnson (Saint Leo) 2–6, 6–4, 10–8

Up Next

The Spartans return home to the Naimoli & Young Family Tennis Complex for their next matchup. A start time and opponent will be announced on TampaSpartans.com.