Box Score HOUSTON, Texas – The FGCU women's tennis team (4-3) claimed a thrilling 4-3 victory as they took down Houston (5-3) Friday afternoon.

"Today was a battle and it was a fun match to experience," head coach Courtney Vernon said. "The ladies focused on their energy and fight and it showed. Sofia (Perez) clinched the match for us and she handled the moment with courage. We can't wait to get back to work on Monday and continue to grow."

Right from the beginning, FGCU was able to take an early 1-0 lead after doubles play. Maja Ornberg (Kil, Sweden/De la Gardiegymnasiet, Lidkoping) and Julia Ascúa (Santa Fe, Argentina/Domingo G. Silva) were the first tandem to finish as they cruised to a 6-1 victory on the top court. Soon after, Sara Kelly (Naples, Fla./Florida Virtual) and Patricia Villar (Logrono, Spain/Bachillerato Santa Maria/Louisiana Monroe) produced a 6-4 result to claim the doubles point for the Eagles.

Heading into singles competition, Ascúa bumped FGCU's lead to 2-0 with a win on court No. 3 in straight sets (6-4, 6-3). Ornberg then made it a 3-0 match as she registered a 6-0, 6-3 victory. After the Eagle's win on the top court, the home side reeled three-straight wins on courts No. 5, No. 6 and No. 3 to tie the match at 3-3.

Everyone's attention then shifted to the final match on court No. 4. Sofia Perez (Alajuela, Costa Rica/Florida Virtual School), who fell in her first set 7-6, stormed back in dominant fashion. The Costa Rica native garnered a 6-4 win in her second set and then sealed the victory with a 6-1 triumph in the final set to give FGCU the 4-3 final.

Up Next
FGCU will return home for its ASUN opener against rival UNF at 5 pm March 2.

 Singles competition
1. Maja Ornberg (FGCU) def. Ndindi Ndunda (UH) 6-0, 6-3
2. Mimi Kendall-Woseley (UH) def. Sara Kelly (FGCU) 4-6, 6-4, 6-1
3. Julia Ascúa (FGCU) def. Sophie Gerits (UH) 6-4, 6-3
4. Sofia Perez (FGCU) def. Jovana Vukovic (UH) 6-7, 6-4, 6-1
5. Phonexay Chitdara (UH) def. Laura Falceto-Font (FGCU) 6-2, 6-3
6. Stephanie Belovukovic (UH) def. Madison Gallegos (FGCU) 6-2, 6-3

Doubles competition
1. Maja Ornberg/Julia Ascúa (FGCU) def. Ndindi Ndunda/Mimi Kendall-Woseley (UH) 6-1
2. Sophie Gerits/Phonexay Chitdara (UH) def. Sofia Perez/Madison Gallegos (FGCU) 7-6
3. Sara Kelly/Patricia Villar (FGCU) def. Elena Tairyan/Jovana Vukovic (UH) 6-4

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

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 three-time ASUN Coach of the Year Courtney Vernon, who led the Eagles to back-to-back ASUN regular-season crowns in her fifth season in 2018. She has mentored her student-athletes into earning 56 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 and the 2018 Player of the Year. Vernon has led the Green and Blue to a 65-45 overall record (.592) and 27-5 conference record (.827) in her six years at FGCU.