FORT MYERS, Fla. - After a rainstorm washed out the contest between FGCU and No. 26 Notre Dame, the FGCU women's tennis team (2-8) will get back to action Monday, Mar. 16 under the lights at 5 p.m. as the Eagles welcome Big Ten foe Minnesota to the FGCU Tennis Complex.

LAST TIME OUT
Despite a vigilant fight in the doubles action, FGCU failed to capitalize on the deuce point opportunities and dropped matches at the No. 1 and 2 slots against the 26th-ranked Fighting Irish. Rain moved into the area shortly after, forcing the teams to halt competition. The Irish will be unable to make up the match.

Johanna Sterkel (Schwetzingen, Germany/Carl-Theodor-Schule HS) has been the primary No. 3 and 4 singles player for the Eagles, and leads the team in individual wins with a 7-2 record. The junior has been a strong force in the middle of the Eagles' lineup as the Schwetzingen, Germany native has wins over opponents from UCF, Georgia State, No. 59 USF and No. 9 Miami. During her contest against the No. 9 Hurricanes, Sterkel defeated Yolimar Ogando 7-6, 7-5 in the No. 3 slot. Sterkel was engaged in a closely contested first set which had to be decided by a tiebreaker. Sterkel then rose to the occasion to win the tiebreaker 7-0. In the second set both players did not miss a beat as the score was leveled at 5-5. At the crucial moment, Sterkel did not drag the set into another tiebreaker, as the junior claimed two games in a row to a 7-5 second set win.

SCOUTING THE GOPHERS
Minnesota is 10-4 (1-0 Big Ten) on the season after winning six times in its seven-match homestead, including a 4-3 triumph over Wisconsin in its Big Ten opener. Over the course of the season Minnesota has produced quality wins against Oregon, Louisville and Iowa State. Monday's contest against FGCU marks the non-conference finale for Minnesota.

Tereza Brichacova and Caroline Ryba both saw playing time in the No. 1 singles slot, as Brichacova is 4-5 on the spring while Ryba is 3-0. Aria Lambert boasts a team-best 11-2 record in the spring, going 3-0 in the No. 3 slot and 6-1 in the No. 5 slot. In doubles action, Tereza Brichacova and Paula Rincon Otero stand firm in the No. 1 slot, going 6-2 in the spring.

FGCU is 0-1 all-time against Minnesota. During the last contest between the two in the 2014 season, the Gophers visited The Nest and left with a 6-1 decision. Senior Candela Munoz Giron (Alicante, Spain/Troy) delivered the lone point for the Eagles, beating Julia Courter in the No. 4 slot, 7-6(5), 6-4.

NEXT UP
FGCU will open up the Atlantic Sun Conference play as the Eagles visit Kennesaw State on Mar. 19 at 10 a.m. and USC Upstate on Mar. 21 at 10 a.m.

COURTNEY VERNON
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.

#WINGSUP
Fans are encouraged to download the brand-new Wings Up mobile app in conjunction with SuperFanU. The fully customized loyalty-rewards platform allows fans to check in at each of FGCU's sporting events to earn points throughout the school year toward exclusive prizes that can't be offered anywhere else.

FOLLOW ALONG
For complete 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 at the end of each day.

#FEEDFGCU
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.