FORT MYERS, Fla. – Despite singles victories from Candela Munoz Giron and Johanna Sterkel, the FGCU women's tennis team (1-5) fell in its match against USF (2-4) on a windy Tuesday afternoon at the FGCU Tennis Complex.

Munoz Giron (Alicante, Spain/Troy) gained the first singles point for the Green and Blue when she battled Laura Argente in the No. 5 slot. Munoz won the first set by a 6-3 count and did not look back to gain the match point after a 6-1 win in the second set.

The only other point on the day came from the No. 4 slot when Sterkel (Schwetzingen, Germany/Carl-Theodor-Schule HS) rallied to win her match by a 6-3, 4-6, 7-5 count.

"Today we were faced with many challenges," said head coach Courtney Vernon. "We were up in every match but one at some point, but we were unable to execute the plan when we needed to. We will grow if we apply what we fell short in today and use it for the next opportunity we have to compete."

The duo of Elizabeth Means and Sarah Means (Wesley Chapel, Fla./Wiregrass Ranch HS) battled against the Bulls' pair of Olga Martinez and Jessica Cortes in the No. 1 doubles slot before they ultimately fell by a 7-5 count which gave the doubles point to USF.

Sarah Means took an early 7-5 advantage in the No. 1 singles slot but was unable to close the match out as she lost the last two sets 6-2, 6-3 against Olaya Garrido-Rivas. Julianna Curtis (Tampa, Fla./Allendale Academy) also led after the first set, but could not collect the match win in the No. 6 slot, falling 6-3, 6-3 in the final two sets against Juliana Cardosa. Breana Stampfli (Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago/St. Joseph's Convent) lost her first set 6-4 in the No. 2 slot against Vera Bessonova before rallying to take the second set 1-6. She would ultimately fall after forcing a third set by a 6-2 count.

The match was delayed 25 minutes because of the windy conditions which gusted to 30 mph. 

The Eagles will return to action when they head to the Capital of the Sunshine State to take on No. 33 Florida State this Saturday, Feb. 14 at 4 p.m.

For complete coverage of FGCU women's tennis follow us on Twitter at @FGCU_WTEN and visit www.FGCUAthletics.com where full recaps and results will be available.

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.

FINAL RESULTS:

USF: 5 FGCU: 2

SINGLES:

Olaya Garrido-Rivas (USF) def. Sarah Means (FGCU) 5-7, 6-2, 6-3

Vera Bessonova (USF) def. Breana Stampfli (FGCU) 6-4, 1-6, 6-2

Olga Martinez (USF) def. Elizabeth Means (FGCU) 6-2, 6-4

Johanna Sterkel (FGCU) def. Jessica Cortes (USF) 6-3, 4-6, 7-5

Candela Munoz Giron (FGCU) def. Laura Argente (USF) 6-3, 6-1

Juliana Cardosa (USF) def. Julianna Curtis (FGCU) 4-6, 6-3, 6-3
 
DOUBLES:

Olga Martinez/Jessica Cortes Chavez (USF) def. Sarah Means/Elizabeth Means (FGCU) 7-5

Olaya Garrido-Rivas/Julianna Cardosa (USF) vs. Breana Stampfli/Johanna Sterkel (FGCU) 5-4, DNF

Vera Bessonova/Haliey Grillo (USF) def. Alex Landert/Julianna Curtis (FGCU) 6-4