FORT MYERS, FL – The FGCU women's tennis team (4-5) fell to the No. 2-ranked FSU Seminoles (12-2) by a score of 6-1 Friday afternoon at the FGCU Tennis Complex.

"Congrats to Florida State, they are a very tough team and today was a good opportunity to be challenged," said head coach Courtney Vernon. "We are making steps from a month ago and it's all about progress and hard work. Sofia defeated a nationally ranked opponent and I'm very proud of her. Six months ago she was on her back not knowing if she could play tennis after her hip surgery. She's an example of someone who is professional in the classroom, on the court and in the gym. That is what every member of this team is striving for."

FSU took a 1-0 lead after claiming two of three courts in doubles play as court No. 2 was played to a tight 4-3 match before going unfinished in their favor.

In singles action, senior Sofia Perez (Alajuela, Costa Rica/Florida Virtual School) garnered FGCU's point on court No. 3. Perez captured the first set, and battled back from 6-2 second-set loss to come out on top in the tiebreaker, 10-6. Her opponent, Nandini Das, is currently ranked No. 83 in singles by the ITA.

Meanwhile, the Green and Blue played the second-ranked Seminoles tight on two other courts. Freshman Alba Retortillo (Leon,Spain/La Anunciata) was edged by one point in the second set on court No. 4, while Lourdes Ramalle (Buenos Aires, Argentina/Portland) fell by two in her respective second set.

Singles competition
1. Emmanuelle Salas (FS) def. Maja Ornberg (FGCU) 6-2, 6-3
2. Petra Hule (FS) def. Satomi Momose (FGCU) 6-1, 6-2
3. Sofia Perez (FGCU) def. Nandini Das (FS) 6-4, 2-6, 1-0 (10-6)
4. Sasha Hill (FS) def. Alba Retortillo (FGCU) 6-2, 7-6
5. Victoria Allen (FS) def. Ida Ferding (FGCU) 6-1, 6-2
6. Andrea Garcia (FS) def. Lourdes Ramalle (FGCU) 6-2, 7-5

Doubles competition
1. Victoria Allen/Petra Hule (FS) def. Maja Ornberg/Sofia Perez (FGCU) 6-1
2. Sara Kelly/Julia Fisch (FGCU) vs. Nandini Das/Andrea Garcia (FS) 3-4, unfinished
3. Emmanuelle Salas/Sasha Hill (FS) def. Lourdes Ramalle/Alba Retortillo (FGCU) 6-2

Up Next
FGCU is back in action at home taking on UT Arlington Thursday, March 5. The match is slated for an 11 a.m. start.

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HEAD COACH COURTNEY VERNON
FGCU's women's tennis team is led by three-time ASUN Coach of the Year Courtney Vernon (entering 7th season) 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 59 ASUN All-Conference and All-Academic honors, including 2014, 2016 and 2017 ASUN Freshman of the Year as well as the 2016, 2017 and 2019 Scholar-Athlete of the Year and the 2018 Player of the Year. Vernon has led the Green and Blue to a 76-55 overall record (.581) and 31-8 conference record (.795).