MIAMI – The FGCU women's tennis team posted five wins in the second day of the FIU Panther Invitational on Saturday in Miami. Four of the wins came in singles backdraw play and one came from doubles.
 
"Today was another great opportunity for the girls to get in a lot of match play," head coach Courtney Vernon said. "We have a lot of work to do in learning how to perform with adversity, but the girls are making some good strides. We will continue to commit to the important things that allow us to grow."
 
Earning two wins in the backdraw of A singles was Sarah Means (Wesley Chapel, Fla./Wiregrass Ranch HS), each in straight sets over an opponent from Eastern Michigan. In her first match, Means beat Daphne Friedrich, 6-4, 7-5, before topping Ani Gogvadze a powerful, 6-2, 6-0. She will return tomorrow for the backdraw finals against Klara Supejova of Eastern Michigan at 9 a.m.
 
Earning two wins in the backdraw of B singles was Julianna Curtis (Tampa, Fla./Allendale Academy), taking both contests with the same score, 6-4, 6-2. To begin play in the backdraw Curtis defeated Carlee Rizzolo of Nova Southeastern before continuing on to top Eastern Michigan's Maria Paula Ribero. She will return tomorrow for the backdraw finals against Andrea Martinovska of Eastern Michigan at 9 a.m.
 
Earning a win in doubles consolation were Sarah and Elizabeth Means (Wesley Chapel, Fla./Wiregrass Ranch HS), topping Nova Southeastern's Alexandra Johansson and Alex Kaeser a dominant 8-1.
 
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.
 
 
RESULTS
Doubles A
Backdraw
Elizabeth Means/Sarah Means (FGCU) def. Alexandra Johansson/Alex Kaeser (NSU) 8-1
Klara Supejova/Andrea Martinovska (Eastern Michigan) def. Julianna Curtis/Breana Stampfli (FGCU) 8-1
 
Singles A
Quarterfinals
Yana Koroleva (FIU) def. Breana Stampfli (FGCU)– 6-1, 6-4
Backdraw
Sarah Means (FGCU) def. Daphne Friedrich (EM) – 6-4, 7-5
Sarah Means (FGCU) def. Ani Gogvadze (EM) – 6-2, 6-0
 
Singles B
Semifinals
Karina Goia (BU) def. Elizabeth Means (FGCU) 2-6, 7-5, 6-3
Backdraw
Julianna Curtis (FGCU) def. Carlee Rizzolo (NSU) - 6-4, 6-2
Julianna Curtis (FGCU) def. Maria Paula Ribero (EM) - 6-4, 6-2
 
SUNDAY SCHEDULE
Breana Stampfli (FGCU) vs. Sonja Larsen (BU) – 9 AM
Sarah Means (FGCU) vs. Klara Supejova (EM) – 9 AM
Julianna Curtis (FGCU) vs. Andrea Martinovska (EM) – 9 AM
Elizabeth Means (FGCU) vs. Elisabeth Adanda (BU) – 9 AM