TAMPA, Fla. – Competing in its final non-conference match before the start of ASUN play, the FGCU women's tennis team (4-7) were narrowly edged 4-3 on the road by in-state foe USF (10-7) Saturday afternoon at the USF Varsity Tennis Courts.

"USF competed well today," stated head coach Courtney Vernon. "I saw some really positive matches today in singles. The ladies are growing and also learning to trust and have confidence in the process. We can't wait to start conference play next week!"

Facing a 1-0 deficit after dropping the doubles point, the Eagles soon saw USF's lead swell to 3-0 before snagging victories over the next three of four matches ultimately falling by one point, 4-3.

Courts one and three swung the way for USF in doubles as the Bulls claimed a pair of 6-1 and 6-0 wins to take a 1-0 lead. Court two featuring Madison Gallegos (Denver, Colo./Colorado Connections Academy) and Julianna Curtis (West Des Moines, Iowa/Allendale Academy) was called unfinished as it ended 3-3.

The home side got off to a fast start transitioning into singles play registering the first two matches on courts No. 3 and No. 4 with each USF Bull coming out on top 6-0, 6-2, in both sets, respectively. Trailing 3-0, the Eagles did not go away, putting the pressure on USF. Bridget Forster (Boca Raton, Fla./Florida Virtual School) got FGCU on the board defeating Juliana Cardoso 6-3, 6-1, notching her fourth win of the season then Maja Ornberg (Kil, Sweden/De la Gardiegymnasiet, Lidkoping) made it a 3-2 match recording a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Jessica Chaves. She now bumps her dual record to 8-3.

Soon after, USF clinched on court two as Gallegos battled in her second set just narrowly falling 6-4. Despite the clinching set, court five would be played out as FGCU saw another victory come its way with Sofia Perez (Alajuela, Costa Rica/Florida Virtual School) downing Nicole Dzenga in a third set final of 6-1, giving her four wins this spring.
 
DOUBLES RESULTS
1. Vanja Klaric/Nicole Dzenga (USF) def. Maja Ornberg/ Julia Ascúa (FGCU) 6-1
2. Juliana Cardoso/Jessica Chaves (USF) vs. Madison Gallegos/Julianna Curtis (FGCU) 3-3, unfinished
3. Alexandria Mjos/Ana Roman (USF) def. Sofia Perez/Bridget Forster (FGCU) 6-0

SINGLES RESULTS
1. Maja Ornberg (FGCU) def. Jessica Chaves (USF) 6-3, 6-1
2. Evelyne Tiron (USF) def. Madison Gallegos (FGCU) 7-6 (7-1), 6-4
3. Ana Roman (USF) def. Julia Ascúa (FGCU) 6-0, 6-2
4. Vanja Klaric (USF) def. Patricia Villar (FGCU) 6-0, 6-2
5. Sofia Perez (FGCU) def. Nicole Dzenga (USF) 6-3, 2-6, 6-1
6. Bridget Forster (FGCU) def. Juliana Cardoso (USF) 6-3, 6-1

Order of finish: Doubles (3,1); Singles (3,4,6,1,2,5)

UP NEXT
The reigning regular-season ASUN champions begin their title defense on the road facing Lipscomb (6-9) on Thursday, Mar. 29 at 10 a.m. followed by Kennesaw State (1-11) on Saturday, Mar. 31 at 11 a.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 55-41 overall record (.600) and 21-5 conference record (.808) in her four years at FGCU.