FORT MYERS, Fla. – Despite dropping the doubles point, the FGCU women's tennis team (2-2) rebounded in singles action in dominant fashion claiming a 5-2 victory over Middle Tennessee (7-4) Saturday afternoon at the FGCU Tennis Complex.

"The girls competed hard in singles today," said head coach Courtney Vernon. They were focused on brining a lot of energy and it has showed in every match. I am thankful for this group and their commitment to keep working on their goals. We're excited to get back to work on Monday in preparation for Georgia State."

Trailing 1-0 after doubles, the Eagles strung four consecutive victories to ultimately secure the win. The Eagles displayed their aggressive play in singles as Julia Ascúa (Santa Fe, Argentina/Domingo G. Silva) and Laura Falceto Font (Zaragoza, Spain/El Pilar Maristas Zaragoza) each took their first sets 6-2, while Maja Ornberg (Kil, Sweden/De la Gardiegymnasiet, Lidkoping) and Bridget Forster (Boca Raton, Fla./Florida Virtual School) each claimed their sets 6-3. On court three, Sofia Perez (Costa Rica/Florida Virtual School) led 6-4 giving the Green and Blue momentum heading into final sets.

FGCU wasted no time in their second sets with Ascúa being the first to finish with a score of 6-2, 6-3 giving the Eagles the tie at one. Shortly after, Forster put her opponent away with a final 6-3, 6-1 as FGCU saw its first lead of the afternoon. After Ornberg captured a 6-3, 6-2 triumph, the Eagles clinched minutes later when Font won 6-2 and a thrilling 6-4 final set.

Madison Gallegos (Denver, Colo./Colorado Connections Academy) dropped both sets 6-3 as Perez was the last Eagle to wrap up play giving FGCU its fifth point, winning 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (10-6).

Doubles swung the way for the Blue Raiders as the visiting side claimed all three victories using a trio of 7-5, 6-3 and 6-1 decisions to jump ahead 1-0.

UP NEXT
FGCU will welcome Georgia State on Friday, Feb. 23 at 10 a.m.

COMPLETE RESULTS
DOUBLES RESULTS
1) Kim Kermet/Luisa Zirilli (MT) def. Maja Ornberg/Julia Ascúa (FGCU) 7-5
2) Lee Barnard/M. Josefina Zehnder (MT) def. Patricia Villar/Madison Gallegos (FGCU) 6-3
3) Costanza Magazzini/Marta Peris Herrero (MT) def. Sofia Perez/Bridget Forster (FGCU) 6-1

SINGLES RESULTS
1) Julia Ascúa (FGCU) def. M. Josefina Zehnder (MT) 6-2, 6-3
2) Maja Ornberg (FGCU) def. Costanza Magazzini (MT) 6-3, 6-2
3) Kim Kermet (MT) def. Madison Gallegos (FGCU) 6-3, 6-3
4) Laura Falceto Font (FGCU) def. Marta Peris Herrero (MT) 6-2, 6-4
5) Sofia Perez (FGCU) def. Lidia Burrows (MT) 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (10-6)
6) Bridget Forster (FGCU) def. Luisa Zirilli (MT) 6-3, 6-1
 
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HEAD COACH COURTNEY VERNON
FGCU's women's tennis team is led by two-time ASUN Coach of the Year Courtney Vernon, whose fourth season under the helm saw the Eagles claim their first ASUN Championship in program history. She has mentored her student-athletes into earning 43 ASUN All-Conference and All-Academic honors, including the 2014, 2016 and 2017 ASUN Freshman of the Year as well as the 2016 and 2017 Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Vernon has led the Green and Blue to a 53-36 overall record (.600) and 21-5 conference record (.808) in her four years at FGCU.