ELKHART, Ind.– Bethel University Tennis opened play at the 2025 ITA NAIA Men's and Women's Central-East Regional Championship on Thursday. The women competed at Concord Junior High School, completing the first two rounds of singles and doubles action.

In singles, the Pilots had a strong showing with several advancing into later rounds.

Szilvi Ferenczy received a first-round bye and followed with a 6-1, 6-4 win over Sofia Ordinteva. 

Paola Lameda, making her collegiate debut, impressed with back-to-back victories. Paola won 6-1, 6-1 over Arianngel Mosquera and 6-3, 7-6(1) over Yvonne Shannon.

Fellow freshman Daniela Piñeros also advanced after a bye and a 6-0, 6-2 win against Nicole Torres. 

Sandy Sharaf rounded out the group with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Vishmi Serasinghe after a first-round bye.

In their first college appearances, Kako Uchijo and Daniela Piñeros gained valuable experience. Uchijo dropped her opener 6-3, 7-5 to Maria Clara Fonte but bounced back in the consolation draw with a dominant 8-0 win over Desiree Mofield. Piñeros impressed with a strong second-round performance after her bye. 

Farida Elsayed, making her first ITA tournament appearance, fell 6-2, 7-5 in her opener and will continue in the consolation bracket.

In doubles play, Bethel picked up multiple wins. Farida Elsayed and Kako Uchijo defeated Sofia Ordinteva and Sara Mendoza 8-5 in the opening round before falling 8-6 in a tight second-round match to Leah Gonzales-Edwards and Victoria Savvides. 

Daniela Piñeros and Paula Nadal Hurtado lost 8-5 to Blanka Bodo and Maria Clara Fonte in round two. 

Szilvi Ferenczy and Paola Lameda delivered a strong performance with an 8-3 opening-round victory over Emery Porter and Virginie Francois, followed by an 8-7(5) tiebreak win over Bissola Lassissi and Jocelynn Carmody to advance further.

The Pilots will continue ITA's tomorrow, and the event will run through Saturday, Sept. 27th. 

For more information about Bethel Pilots Athletics, check out bupilots.com or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or X by searching @bupilots or #TheRightWayToPlay.