FORT MYERS, Fla. – Coming off a 5-2 win over Middle Tennessee last weekend at home, the FGCU women's tennis team (2-2) will host Georgia State on Friday at 10 a.m., followed by Sunday's finale against #18 Tennessee at 10 a.m.

"We are looking forward to welcoming Georgia State and Tennessee," said head coach Courtney Vernon. "Both programs are very solid and will fight hard, so we are up to the challenge. It's another opportunity for us to grow and go out and compete in front of our fans."

Overall in singles dual play, the Eagles are 13-11 as Maja Ornberg (Kil, Sweden/De la Gardiegymnasiet, Lidkoping) and Madison Gallegos (Denver, Colo./Colorado Connections Academy) are both 3-1. Gallegos was awarded the ASUN Player of the Week on Feb. 14 for her play against then #17 Miami where she picked up the Eagles' lone victory (7-6 (12-10), 7-5).  In doubles action in dual play, the tandem of Patricia Villar (Logrono, Spain/Bachillerato Santa Maria/Louisiana Monroe)  and Laura Falceto Font (Zaragoza, Spain/El Pilar Maristas Zaragoza)  are a 1-0 to lead the way. 

SCOUTING THE PANTHERS
GSU (5-4) has won four of its last five matches coming into Friday, with the Panthers' most recent wins coming over UAB (4-2) and Samford (4-1).

GSU is led by Kristin Rehse in the No. 1 singles spot as the senior is 6-2 on the year.

SCOUTING THE VOLUNTEERS
Along with the #18 ranking, the Lady Vols boast a perfect 10-0 record with their latest win being a 4-3 decision over NC State.

In the No. 1 spot in singles, Sadie Hammond is 3-2 on the year while Gabby Schuck is 5-0 playing in the No. 4 spot. Leading the way in doubles is Ariadna Riley and Kaitlin Staines who have combined to go 7-0 in the No. 2 slot.

PRESEASON FAVORITES
The reigning regular season champions, the FGCU women finished the poll with 44 points matching the reigning ASUN Tournament champions UNF. However, the Ospreys received four first-place votes while the Eagles received three. FGCU and UNF finished the regular season as the top two teams and met in the tournament final, with the Ospreys narrowly defeating the Eagles 4-3.

Stetson (32 points) is expected to finish third according to the preseason poll, just ahead of Lipscomb (29). NJIT (25), Kennesaw State (14), and USC Upstate (8) round out the preseason poll.

LAST TIME OUT
Despite dropping the doubles points, the Eagles dominated in singles action, claiming five matches including four-consecutive victories to secure the win. FGCU displayed their aggressive play in singles as Julia Ascúa (Santa Fe, Argentina/Domingo G. Silva) and Font each took their first sets 6-2, while Ornberg and Bridget Forster (Boca Raton, Fla./Florida Virtual School) each claimed their sets 6-3.

In their second sets, the Eagles wasted no time as Ascúa finished first in 6-2, 6-3 fashion followed by Forster (6-3, 6-1) who gave FGCU the 2-1 lead. 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.

RECAPPING AN HISTORIC 2017 SEASON
FGCU's 2016-17 season was its most successful to date, claiming the ASUN regular season title for the first time in program history. Led by the ASUN Freshman of the Year Ornberg, FGCU went 6-0 in conference play and 15-5 overall. The Eagles' run to an NCAA Tournament fell short, however, as FGCU dropped a heartbreaking 4-3 decision to UNF in the final.

FGCU will remain at home as the Eagles welcome Western Michigan on Monday, Mar. 5 at 5 p.m. and later on that same week on Friday, Mar. 9, FGCU will square off against Michigan St. at 1 p.m.

FOLLOW ALONG
For up-to-date 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.
 
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.