FORT MYERS, Fla. – FGCU's season came to a heartbreaking conclusion Saturday night in the ASUN Championship Final, dropping a 4-2 decision to top-seeded No. 52 North Florida (25-0).
The Eagles end their season at 16-8, matching the 2001-02 and the 2022-23 seasons for the most wins in program history.
Head coach
Courtney Vernon expressed her pride in the Eagles' performance this season despite the loss to UNF.
"I'm really proud of the girls," Vernon remarked. "We have a bunch of freshmen, no one's older than a sophomore, and to have this kind of fight and heart and commitment to the team, I'm really proud of that."
Florida Gulf Coast claimed the doubles point with victories at the No. 1 and No. 2 positions, but the Ospreys captured four of the six singles matches to secure the win. It marked the first time this season that FGCU had clinched the doubles point but did not win the match. Entering the final, Florida Gulf Coast had been 14-0 when clinching the doubles point.
"The best year, probably the best doubles ever," Vernon added, noting the strength of her team's doubles play and reflecting on the season's successes and the potential for growth in the young team.
In singles play, UNF quickly leveled the score with Anslee Long's 6-3, 6-2 victory over Kotecha at No. 6 singles. The Ospreys then took the lead as Goyins defeated
Sabrina Jaramillo, 6-2, 6-3, at No. 5 singles. Jaramillo ends her season with a 21-9 singles record, the second-most number of wins for a freshman at FGCU.
Florida Gulf Coast responded at No. 4 singles, where Maeland outlasted May Fadida in a three-set match, 6-4, 2-6, 6-2, tying the overall score at 2-2.
However, UNF captured the next two matches. Oliveira edged out Bjork at No. 2 singles with a 4-6, 6-1, 6-3 scoreline, and Bartlett secured the clinching point with a 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 win over Matz at No. 3 singles. The match at No. 1 singles between Svensson and Barendse remained unfinished with Svensson trailing 6-2, 5-7, 3-4 in the third set when the dual match was decided.
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Game Notes:
- Florida Gulf Coast concluded its season at 16-8. The 16 wins by the Green & Blue this year matched a program record, equaling the 16 wins recorded during the 2001-02 and 2022-23 seasons.
- The Eagles are now 15-14 all-time in ASUN Tournament play. This marked Florida Gulf Coast's seventh ASUN Championship Match performance.
- FGCU won the doubles point but dropped the match for the first time this season. The Eagles finished the year 14-1 when clinching the doubles point.
- Sabrina Jaramillo finished the year at 21-9 in singles, marking the second-most number of wins by a freshman at FGCU. Julia Ascua set the record with 22 wins in the 2015-16 season.
