Ava Jessum

Recently Published Web Stories

The Charge •

Guarnieri’s journey from club tennis to UCF's Division I lineup

Senior accounting major Donatella Guarnieri has had an unusual path to collegiate tennis.Born in Venezuela, Guarnieri first picked up a tennis racket at the age of 6. It’s a memory that her mother, Michelle Clinaz de Guarnieri, has held on to over the years.
“We bought her a brand-new red racket for her first private lessons. Even then, she took it very seriously,” Michelle Clinaz de Guarnieri said. “When we moved to the U.S. in 2010, she became even more focused, never missing a single...
UCF Athletics - Official Athletics Website •

Spring Ball Spotlight: Ty Bartrum

ORLANDO - Ty Bartrum’s journey from the Friday‑night fields of Pomeroy, Ohio, to college football prominence began on the sideline, as a waterboy for his father’s high school team. 
Bartrum grew up surrounded by football. His father, Mike Bartrum, spent 13 years in the NFL before turning to coaching, and both of Bartrum's older brothers played football through college.
Eager to get involved in any way possible, Bartrum spent his Friday nights running players their waters while absorbing the game...
The Charge •

Knights clinch Big 12 title, set to return home for tournament run

After two confidence-boosting wins on the road, the No. 18 UCF women's tennis team is gearing up for the Big 12 Championship Tournament. On Friday, the Knights took on Cincinnati, where they controlled the match from beginning to end. The Knights emerged victorious, winning 4-0 and earning their fifth sweep of the season.
The squad then traveled to face West Virginia on Sunday, where they came out on top 4-2 to solidify a share of the Big 12 regular-season title.This was the second strai...
The Charge •

Women's tennis blazes to 4-0 victory over Kansas State, finishing home slate undefeated

In the final home match of the regular season, the No. 19 UCF women’s tennis team delivered a decisive 4-0 victory over Kansas State. As the sun beat down on the USTA National Campus Friday evening, fans filled the stands to watch the Knights take on the Wildcats. 
After a senior ceremony honoring Donatella Guarnieri and Daryna Shoshyna took place, doubles play took off.On court three, sophomores Jade Psonka and Vladislava Andreevskaya looked like the perfect pairing, working in tandem t...
The Charge •

No. 19 women's tennis falls short 4-1 on the road in Kansas

The No. 19 UCF women’s tennis team fell to Kansas 4-1 Sunday at the Jayhawk Tennis Center, suffering the squad's second Big 12 loss of the season. The Knights struggled to find their footing from the beginning, getting off to a rocky start in doubles play. 
On court two, sophomore Olivia Bergler and freshman Lauren Seye fought through long rallies before dropping a 6–2 match. They were swiftly followed by a similar result on court one as freshman Marina Gatell and senior Jantje Tilbuerge...
The Charge •

No. 25 women’s tennis upsets No. 12 Arizona State 4-3

Following a close 4-3 loss to Arizona on Friday, the No. 25 UCF women’s tennis team traveled to Tempe, Arizona, to take on No. 12 Arizona State Sunday afternoon. After a gritty back-and-forth battle, it was the Knights who pulled off the upset and came out on top, winning 4-3 at the Whiteman Tennis Center.
The Black and Gold came out swinging in doubles play, keeping it a close contest on all three courts.Though ASU initially pulled ahead in the duel on court three, sophomores Valdislava...
The Charge •

Women's tennis dominate Big 12 opener, Tilbuerger seals win 4-1

The UCF women’s tennis team found its stride Thursday in the Big 12 conference opener, defeating BYU 4-1 at the United States Tennis Association National Campus for the start of what is sure to be a competitive season of conference play.The last time the Knights and the Cougars faced off against one another, UCF took the win 4-1, and it seemed that history would repeat itself as UCF got off to a strong start. 
As doubles play commenced, the team looked ready for action.On court one, seni...
The Charge •

Women's tennis surges past Stetson 6-1 after weather delay

The UCF women's tennis team found success yet again on Sunday, overcoming a delay of more than two hours due to inclement weather.When play finally began, the Knights dominated Stetson from beginning to end, emerging victorious 6-1.
Doubles play began as clouds remained dark overhead. On court two, the No. 61-ranked doubles pairing, sophomore Olivia Bergler and freshman Lauren Seye, took an early lead, leaving no room for error.The duo swiftly dispatched their opponents 6-0.The two have...
The Charge •

Students warned of traffic risks on campus as Hit‑and‑Run Awareness Month begins

February marks the beginning of Hit-and-Run Awareness Month, serving as a timely warning for UCF students of traffic risks on campus.Hit-and-run incidents are a large issue in the state of Florida, with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles estimating that roughly 25% of all crashes involve a hit-and-run.
Hit‑and‑run accidents directly threaten the safety of students who walk, bike, scooter or drive around campus every day. Campus factors such as busy parking lots,...
The Charge •

No. 25 women’s tennis stuns Miami with 4-2 road win

The No. 25-ranked UCF women’s tennis team delivered a commanding showing Sunday afternoon, defeating Miami 4-2 on its home court at the Neil Schiff Tennis Center.The squad found its footing early, securing decisive wins on two courts to take the doubles point.
Although sophomore Jade Psonka and freshman Lauren Seye fell 6-1 on court three, UCF quickly countered.On court two, senior Daryna Shoshyna and sophomore Hannah Rylatt took an early lead, going up 2-0 in doubles. After some back an...
UCF Athletics - Official Athletics Website •

Knights in the NFL Playoffs - Conference Championship Preview

ORLANDO - Following a thrilling playoff game with UCF alumni on either side of the ball, the Broncos head into the AFC championship against the Patriots. UCF talent RJ Harvey is poised to play a meaningful role as Denver chases a highly anticipated trip to the Super Bowl.
Bills vs. Broncos RecapSaturday's playoff matchup between the Broncos and Bills saw alumni Matt Prater tie up the game late in the fourth quarter, but the Broncos would battle back to win in overtime, 33-30. Prater closed out h...
UCF Athletics - Official Athletics Website •

Knights in the NFL Playoffs - Divisional Round Preview

ORLANDO - The stakes are getting higher as the NFL concluded an exciting wild card weekend, making way for the divisional round of the playoffs. Among the postseason rosters, several UCF alumni are set to take the field and square off against each other in these highly anticipated matchups.
BUFFALO AT DENVER – Saturday, Jan. 17 at 4:30 p.m. (CBS)The Buffalo Bills advanced with an exciting win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday 27-24. Buffalo sits at 12-5 as they gear up to face the Denver B...
Central Florida Public Media •

Music therapy clinics rebuild memory, mobility and even hope

On a typical morning at Joyful Music Therapy, the sound of music and instructors leading sessions fills the room. The organization has been serving the Central Florida community for over a decade as more patients turn to music therapy for sessions for a wide range of issues – like behavioral disorders, intellectual disabilities and mental health.That includes 32-year-old Michael Morrison, who suffered a traumatic head injury at a young age. Michael is currently working with clinic founder Tamala...
UCF Athletics - Official Athletics Website •

Knights in the NFL: Week 14

ORLANDO - As week 14 of NFL play comes to a close, several UCF alumni had their best week yet.
The Broncos secured a ten-game win streak following their victory against the Raiders Sunday 24-17. Rookie RJ Harvey was a dominant force for the offense, setting a new career high with a 100-yard game. The running back garnered 75 rushing yards, and brought home yet another rushing touchdown for Denver. 
Harvey now leads the Broncos in overall touchdowns with nine under his belt. Denver currently lead...
UCF Athletics - Official Athletics Website •

Knights in the NFL: Week 13

ORLANDO - Week 13 brought close matchups, exciting games and lots of play time for several UCF alumni.
Rookie RJ Harvey continues to provide results for the Broncos as he delivered a standout performance against the Washington Commanders. Harvey led the rush, getting his hands on the ball 13 times and scoring on two drives throughout the night.
The running backs' second touchdown took place in overtime and brought the score to 27-20, effectively winning the game for Denver after Washington could...
UCF Athletics - Official Athletics Website •

Knights in the NFL: Week 11

ORLANDO - The NFL wrapped up week 11, and among the action were standout displays of skill and notable returns to the field from UCF alumni.
As the Bills prepared to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a familiar face joined the offensive lineup. Wide receiver Gabe Davis was back in action on Sunday and gave a strong showing in his first outing of the season.
Davis totaled 40 yards on three receptions, appearing anything but rusty in his 2025 debut. Reflecting on his return, Davis said he was “Hap...
Central Florida Public Media •

Orlando voters head to the polls to fill three City Council seats

In this election cycle, voting is happening in Orlando City Council Districts 1, 3 and 5.Voting takes place Tuesday between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. You can find your closest polling location at ocfelections.gov.On the ballot for District 1 is incumbent Jim Gray. He faces three opponents, including former Democratic State Rep.Tom Keen. Also featured on the ballot are Manny Acosta and Sunshine Grund.In District 3, longtime Commissioner Robert Stuart will not be seeking reelection after nearly two decades...
UCF Athletics - Official Athletics Website •

Knights in the NFL: Week 8

ORLANDO - Week 8 of the NFL season involved another strong showing of performances from alumni. In the breakout performance of the week, rookie RJ Harvey made history with three touchdowns in the Broncos game against the Cowboys.
On Sunday, Harvey had arguably his best game of the 2025 season so far. The rookie running back accounted for three total touchdowns, with two rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown. His success on the field led Denver to a 44-24 victory over Dallas. Harvey was...
UCF Athletics - Official Athletics Website •

Knights in the NFL: Week 5

ORLANDO - Week five rocked the NFL, with exciting upsets and shocking performances throughout the league. Several Knights distinguished themselves with standout performances for their respective teams.
Rookie RJ Harvey saw action in the Broncos thrilling match up against the Eagles. Harvey totaled 30 yards within the game, split between four carries and three receptions. The running backs' performance aided the Broncos in their upset win over Philadelphia which put an end to the Eagles undefeate...
UCF Athletics - Official Athletics Website •

Women's Golf Primed for Illini Invitational

ORLANDO - For the second time in as many years, UCF Women's Golf will play in the Illini Invitational in Chicago, Illinois. Hosted by Medinah Country Club and co-hosted by the University of Illinois, the event will take place Oct. 6-7. In last season's appearance at the Illini invitational the Black and Gold took home a fourth place finish. 
 
UCF joins 15 other teams who will take part in the Illini Invitational. Two teams taking part in the tournament currently rank in the Division 1 Mizuno WG...
UCF Athletics - Official Athletics Website •

Knights in the NFL: Week 4

ORLANDO -  In Week Four of the NFL season, multiple former Knights delivered standout performances that showcased their impact on the field. 
RJ Harvey delivered his most impressive performance so far this season as the Broncos defeated the Bengals 28-3. Harvey was a force on Monday, garnering 98 total yards and 14 carries throughout the game. The rookie running back even secured his first regular-season NFL touchdown. With just five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, he brought home a 12-...
UCF Athletics - Official Athletics Website •

Knights in the NFL: Week 3

ORLANDO - Heading into week three of NFL play, several alumni made their presence felt across the league. From kicking field goals to key defensive plays, four Knights stood out amongst the crowd.
Bills kicker Matt Prater had another strong week as the team faced the Miami Dolphins in Buffalo. Prater had flawless execution when it came to extra points, converting all four attempts throughout the matchup. With the Bills leading 28-21, Prater was called out for one more field goal attempt. The 41-...
UCF Athletics - Official Athletics Website •

Knights in the NFL: Week 2

ORLANDO - Week two of the 2025 NFL season brought 16 different matchups to the forefront. Amidst the chaos, several former Knights gave strong performances on the field.
Buffalo Bills kicker Matt Prater continued his momentum from week one, converting all three field goals in the Bills game against the Jets. Prater’s highlight of game two came when he completed a 52 yard field goal that extended the Bills lead 13-0. This feat marked the 82nd 50-plus-yard field goal of Prater’s career—a new NFL r...
UCF Athletics - Official Athletics Website •

Knights in the NFL: Week 1

ORLANDO - The wait is over, the 2025 NFL season has finally begun. Within the first week of play several UCF alumni left their mark on the field, setting the tone for what is to come this season.
In an exciting twist, the Buffalo Bills signed veteran kicker Matt Prater the Thursday before their week one contest against Baltimore. The Ravens built a halftime lead and a large lead late but fought their way back.
The game came down to a field goal. With the week one contest on the line, Prater succ...
Load More