FORT MYERS, Fla. – The FGCU women's tennis team (5-9, 3-0 Atlantic Sun) continued its conference success with a 5-2 victory over Lipscomb (9-8, 0-2 Atlantic Sun) on Thursday, Mar. 26 at the FGCU Tennis Complex.

"The girls got it done in singles today," said head coach Courtney Vernon. "We were challenged in doubles but were able to focus in singles during the important moments. We look forward to playing again on Saturday."

The duo of Elizabeth Means and Sarah Means (Wesley Chapel, Fla./Wiregrass Ranch HS) battled against the Bisons pair of Laura Kent and Melissa Kromer in the No. 1 slot, and won by a 8-2 score. The Eagles dropped the other two doubles matches to give Lipscomb a 1-0 lead heading into singles play.

In the No. 1 singles slot, Sarah Means made quick work of Hannah Gamage with a 6-3, 6-1 score. After being named A-Sun Player of the Week on Wednesday, Johanna Sterkel (Schwetzingen, Germany/Carl-Theodor-Schule HS) continued her impressive form with a win over Kent in the No. 3 slot, 3-6, 6-0, 6-2. With the win, the junior improves her record to 10-3 during the dual season. Sterkel has been a strong force in the middle of the Eagles' lineup as the Schwetzingen, Germany native has wins over opponents from UCF, No. 61 Georgia State, No. 59 USF and No. 9 Miami.

In the No. 4 slot, Candela Munoz Giron (Alicante, Spain/Troy) continued her strong conference play with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Kromer. Elizabeth Means was locked in a tight battle against Jenny Borck in the No. 5 slot during the first set, but came away with a 6-4 win before winning the second set by a convincing 6-2 score.

Rounding out the day for the Eagles was Alex Landert (Naples, Fla./Seton Hall) in the No. 6 slot. The junior cruised to a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Danielle Kinnen.

The Eagles return to the courts on Saturday, Mar. 28 when the host they Norse of Northern Kentucky under the lights at 5 p.m. at the FGCU Tennis Complex.

FINAL RESULTS

FGCU: 5 Lipscomb: 2

SINGLES
1. Sarah Means (FGCU) def. Hannah Gamage (LIP) 6-3, 6-1
2. Deahna Welcher (LIP) def. Breana Stampfli (FGCU) 4-6, 6-3, 10-4
3. Johanna Sterkel (FGCU) def. Laura Kent (LIP) 3-6, 6-0, 6-2
4. Candela Munoz Giron (FGCU) def. Melissa Kromer (LIP) 6-3, 6-4
5. Elizabeth Means (FGCU) def. Jenny Borck (LIP) 6-4, 6-2
6. Alex Landert (FGCU) def. Danielle Kinnen (LIP) 6-2, 6-2

DOUBLES
1. Sarah Means/Elizabeth Means (FGCU) def. Laura Kent /Melissa Kromer (LIP) 8-2
2. Jenny Borck/Deahna Welcher (LIP) def. Breana Stampfli/Candela Munoz Giron (FGCU) 8-3
3. Danielle Kinnen /Hannah Gamage (LIP) def. Johanna Sterkel/Alex Landert (FGCU) 8-4

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.