FGCU WTEN vs FAU Recap

The FGCU women's tennis team (3-2) capped off its weekend taking down cross-state foe FAU (1-3) 5-2, Saturday afternoon at the FGCU Tennis Complex. With the win, the Eagles are now 10-2 against the Owls.

"The ladies fought very hard today," said head coach Courtney Vernon. "The energy was really good and they did a good job sticking to the plan. We're looking forward to getting back to work on Monday in preparation for Florida State."

"Fitness is improving, but is still playing a vital role in a few match outcomes," said FAU head coach Marcy Cava. "We have a new team this semester, so we are still learning the importance of relying on each other."

FGCU got off to a strong start in doubles competition, taking all three matches for the first time this season. The No. 1 team of junior Maja Ornberg and senior Julia Ascúa (3-1) were the first tandem to finish, taking their match 6-3 against the team of freshman May Kimhi and sophomore Natalia Boltinskaya as they moved to 4-1 on the year.

On the final two remaining courts, each Eagle team would battle back from a 1-2 deficit for the win. Junior Sofia Perez and sophomore Madison Gallegos (2-3) came away with a 6-3 triumph over freshman Martina Kudelova and sophomore Natalie. Kallmunzerova, while senior Patricia Villar teamed up with sophomore Sara Kelly (1-0) to claim a 6-3 win over sophomore Jemi Aguilar and  senior Kristen Thoms.

Heading into singles competition, senior Ascúa (4-1) bumped FGCU's lead to 2-0, cruising in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3, on court No. 3. against Kimhi.

FAU kept the match close as redshirt sophomore Jacara Gillis defeated Gallegos (1-3) with a 6-2 pair decision on court No. 6 and Perez (2-3) fell to Kallmunzerova No. 4. Staring at a 2-2 tie, Kelly regained FGCU's lead after taking down Boltinskaya in straight sets (6-4, 6-4) on court No. 2.

Needing one more victory to seal the match, Ornberg (3-2) came through for the Eagles. Battling back from after a 1-6 loss on the first set, the junior fought her way back, winning her next two sets, 6-4, 6-3 over Kudelova.

The final match was played out on court No. 5 which saw senior Laura Falceto-Font (1-0) also come back after being down in the first set. The senior rallied in the second to take it 6-4 as she produced the same score in the third set over Thoms, en route to the 5-2 final

Up Next:
FGCU will hit the road for the first time this year to face #20 FSU at 1 pm Feb. 9 in Tallahassee, Fla.