ATHENS, Ga. – FGCU senior captain Elizabeth Means turned in a program-best performance as she made an appearance in the consolation semifinals at the ITA Southeast Regional Championships at the University of Georgia's Dan Magill Tennis Complex on Sunday afternoon.
 
"Today capped off a good weekend for Elizabeth," said FGCU head coach Courtney Vernon. "Her three singles wins at regionals are definitely a big accomplishment. She works tirelessly to improve, and I'm very proud of her and thankful her hard work was rewarded this weekend. This was a great opportunity for both Breana and Elizabeth."
 
Means (Washington, D.C./Wiregrass Ranch HS) began the third day of competition with a come-from-behind victory against UNF's Quetzali Vazquez. After dropping the first set in straight points (0-6), she responded with an impressive victory in the second set (6-2) and forced a 10-point tiebreak, which she ultimately won by a three-point margin (10-7) en route to advancing to the program's first semifinal appearance at the ITA regional tournament.
 
Later in the day, however, Means couldn't make it a fourth-straight ITA victory against Georgia Tech's Magan Kurey. Similar to her quarterfinal match, she got into an early hole after losing the first set (6-4). This time, though, she couldn't dig herself out as Kurey won the second set (6-1) and advanced to the finals.
 
During the three days of competition, Means posted a 3-2 singles record against the Southeast region's top competition. Additionally, she teamed up with Breana Stampfli (Port of Spain Trinidad & Tobago/St. Joseph's Covenant) in doubles play and advanced to the main draw round of 16.
 
SUNDAY RESULTS
Singles – Consolation Quarterfinals
Elizabeth Means (FGCU) def. Quetzali Vazquez (UNF) 0-6, 6-2, 1-0 (7)
 
Singles – Consolation Semifinals
Megan Kurey (GT) def. Elizabeth Means (FGCU) 6-4, 6-1
 
SATURDAY RESULTS
Main Draw Doubles – Round of 16
#54 Kuhlman/Woolcock (UF) def. Means/Stampfli (FGCU) 8-2
 
Singles – Consolation Round of 32
Breana Stampfli (FGCU) def. Maja Salibasic (SU) 6-2, 6-2
Elizabeth Means (FGCU) def. Andrea Lazaro (FIU) 6-4, 7-5
 
Singles – Consolation Round of 16
Kristin Rehse (Ga. St.) def. Breana Stampfli (FGCU) 6-2, 6-2
Elizabeth Means (FGCU) def. Natasha Prokhnevska (GT) 6-3, 6-3

FRIDAY RESULTS
Main Draw Doubles – First Round
Means/Stampfli (FGCU) def. Lazaro/Orlando (FIU) 8-6
 
Main Draw Singles – First Round
#94 Yolimar Ogando (UM) def. Elizabeth Means (FGCU) 6-0, 6-0
#2 Brooke Austin (UF) def. Breana Stampfli (FGCU) 6-1, 6-2

UP NEXT
Following this weekend's ITA Southeast Regional, the Green and Blue will travel to Miami, Fla., for the three-day FIU Fall Tournament beginning Friday, Oct. 30 and wrapping up Sunday, Nov. 1.
 
FOLLOW ALONG
For up-to-date coverage of FGCU women's tennis, follow us on Twitter @FGCU_WTEN and visit www.FGCUAthletics.com where full recaps and results will be available.
 
HEAD COACH COURTNEY VERNON
FGCU's women's tennis team is led by Courtney Vernon, whose second season under the helm saw the Eagles finish third in the conference standings with the program's first-ever appearance in the Atlantic Sun Championship Final. She has produced nine A-Sun All-Conference selections and the 2014 A-Sun Freshman of the Year. She has led the Green and Blue to a 24-20 overall record (.545) and 10-4 conference record (.714) in her two years at FGCU.
 
SUPPORT THE CAUSE 
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.