FORT MYERS, Fla. – The FGCU women's tennis team (8-10, 4-1 Atlantic Sun) beat Marquette University (10-9, 1-1 Big East) by a 5-2 score on Senior Day, Sunday afternoon at the FGCU Tennis Complex.

"The girls competed today," said head coach Courtney Vernon. "Every time we have an opportunity to be challenged under pressure is a good learning experience. We will use this match to prepare us for Stetson on Saturday."  

The duo of Breana Stampfli (Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago/St. Joseph's Convent) and Candela Munoz Giron (Alicante, Spain/Troy) defeated Ali Dawson and Aleeza Kanner by an 8-3 score in the No. 2 doubles slot while Johanna Sterkel (Schwetzingen, Germany/Carl-Theodor-Schule HS) and Alex Landert (Naples, Fla./Seton Hall) picked up the second match win in doubles play over Paula Tormos Sanchez and Diana Tokar to give the Eagles the first point by an 8-7 (10-8) score in the No. 3 doubles slot.

"Today we honored Sarah [Means] and Candela [Munoz Giron] and everything they have given to this program," added Vernon. "We are grateful for the investment that they have made and women's tennis looks forward to being a part of their lives in a new way now that they will be alumni to the program."

Senior Sarah Means (Wesley Chapel, Fla./Wiregrass Ranch HS) took on Ana Pimineta in the No. 1 singles slot. The senior wasted no time in earning a 6-4, 6-0 victory in her final appearance at the FGCU Tennis Complex.

Munoz Giron was not going to miss out on the senior day festivities, as the Alicante, Spain native won her first set against Dawson by a 6-3 score in the No. 4 slot. The senior then made quick work of Dawson in the second set to cruise to a 6-1 victory.

Sterkel lost in her first set to Tokar in the No. 3 slot by a 4-6 count before winning a challenging second set by a 7-6 score to force a tiebreaker. Sterkel then won the breaker by a 10-5 count. With the win, the junior improves her record to 14-3 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.

Rounding out the day for the Eagles was Stampfli in the No. 2 slot. The sophomore won her first set by a 6-4 count against Erin Gebes before closing out the victory with a 6-3 win in the second set.

The Green and Blue will play their final regular season match at Stetson on Saturday, Apr. 11 at 10 a.m.

FINAL RESULTS

FGCU: 5 Marquette: 2

SINGLES
1. Sarah Means (FGCU) def. Ana Pimienta (MU) 6-4, 6-0
2. Breana Stampfli (FGCU) def. Erin Gebes (MU) 6-4, 6-3
3. Johanna Sterkel (FGCU) def. Diana Tokar (MU) 4-6, 7-6, 10-5
4. Candela Munoz Giron (FGCU) def. Ali Dawson (MU) 6-3, 6-1
5. Paula Tormos Sanchez (MU) def. Elizabeth Means (FGCU) 6-1, 3-6, 6-3
6. Vanessa Foltinger (MU) def. Alex Landert (FGCU) 6-1, 6-3

DOUBLES
1. Sarah Means/Elizabeth Means (FGCU) vs. Ana Pimienta/Erin Gebes (MU) 7-7, DNF
2. Candela Munoz Giron/Breana Stampfli (FGCU) def. Ali Dawson/Aleeza Kanner (MU) 8-3
3. Johanna Sterkel/Alex Landert (FGCU) def. Paula Tormos Sanchez/Diana Tokar (MU) 8-7

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.