MIAMI – In its third tournament of the fall slate, the FGCU women's tennis team opened play at the FIU Panther Invitational on Friday in Miami by earning five wins after two round of doubles and one round of singles.
 
"We got in a good amount of matches today and saw some good wins," head coach Courtney Vernon said. "We are thankful to have two more days of competition where we will learn more about our game and take advantage of the opportunities we are presented with."
 
The weekend kicked off with doubles play, as two pairs from the Green and Blue picked up a win during the round of 16 in the tournament's top draw. Sisters Sarah Means (Wesley Chapel, Fla./Wiregrass Ranch HS) and Elizabeth Means (Wesley Chapel, Fla./Wiregrass Ranch HS) saw an 8-4 decision in their favor during their match against Eastern Michigan's Andrea Martinovska and Klara Supejova, but came out on the losing end of an 8-4 score in their quarterfinals match against Emma Onila and Linda Fritschken of Barry. Also earning a win in the round of 16 were Julianna Curtis (Tampa, Fla./Allendale Academy) and Breana Stampfli (Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago/St. Joseph's Convent), topping Nova Southeastern's Alexandra Johansson and Alex Kaeser a dominant 8-2, before falling to FIU's Yana Koroleva and Nerma Caluk, 8-3.
 
The Eagles brought in three more wins through singles play, the efforts of Stampfli, Curtis and Alex Landert (Naples, Fla./Seton Hall). In the singles A round of 16, Stampfli played a competitive match against NSU's Sabrina Kierberg, but was able to get the job done in straight sets, finding a win at 7-6 (4), 7-5. She will return tomorrow for a quarterfinals match against FIU's Yana Koroleva at 10:30 a.m.
 
In singles B, Landert made quick work of Eastern Michigan's Alejandra Barcelo, taking the contest a quick 6-2, 6-1, while Elizabeth Means posted a come-from-behind win over Barry's Kimmy Twelker. After dropping the opening frame, 0-6, Means turned her game around to take the next set, 6-3, and the final 7-5. In tomorrow's quarterfinals Means will take on NSU's Linda Kornienko while Landert faces Barry's Elisabeth Adanda, both at 11:30 a.m.
 
For complete coverage of FGCU women's tennis at the FIU Panther Invite follow us on Twitter at @FGCU_WTEN and visit www.FGCUAthletics.com where full recaps and results will be available at the end of each day.
 
FGCU is led by Courtney Vernon, whose inaugural campaign saw the Eagles finish third in the conference standings with a Division-I best 14 wins overall in 2013-14. She has produced five A-Sun All-Conference selections and the 2014 Freshman of the Year.
 
FGCU Athletics sponsors events throughout the year to benefit the FGCU Campus Food Pantry (www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry) and the Harry Chapin Food Bank (www.harrychapinfoodbank.org), FGCU Athletics' charities of choice. For more information, including how to make a contribution, please visit www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag #FeedFGCU to help raise awareness.
 
 
FRIDAY FOR THE EAGLES
Doubles A
Quarterfinal
Elizabeth Means/Sarah Means (FGCU) def. Klara Supejova/Andrea Martinovska (Eastern Michigan) 8-4
Julianna Curtis/Breana Stampfli (FGCU) def. Alexandra Johansson/Alex Kaeser (NSU) 8-2
Doubles A
Semifinal
Emma Onila/Linda Fritschken (Barry) def. Elizabeth Means/Sarah Means (FGCU) 8-4
Yana Koroleva/Nerma Caluk (FIU) def. Breana Stampfli/Julianna Curtis (FGCU) 8-3
 
Singles A
Round of 16
Breana Stampfli (FGCU) def. Sabrina Kierberg (NSU) – 7-6 (7-4), 7-5
Francesca Sella (NSU) def. Sarah Means (FGCU) – 6-2, 3-6, 6-2
Singles B
Round of 16
Elizabeth Means (FGCU) def. Kimmy Twelker (BU) 0-6, 6-3, 7-5
Alex Landert (FGCU) def. Alejandra Barcelo (Eastern Michigan) 6-2, 6-1
Nina Nagode (FIU) def. Julianna Curtis (FGCU) 6-4, 6-0
 
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 
 
Saturday, November 1:
Singles Semifinals
Singles Quarterfinals
Doubles Finals
 
Sunday, November 2:
Singles Finals