Written by Zoe Chin/Sports Director
The tennis team is getting closer to evening their season record (3-4, CUSA 1-0) after winning against the University of North Florida (3-5) on Saturday, Feb. 23.
The Panthers took to their home courts after getting their first C-USA win against Florida Atlantic University in a 4-1 game.
Although the team didn’t have the best start to the season, the Panthers are making an effort to better their overall record.
In the first doubles play, FIU took an early lead by winning the first doubles match of the day. Sophomore Sandra Bozinovica and junior Maria Turillo beat UNF players Valentina Mariotto and Ana Paula Melilo in a 7-6 match.
This was followed by doubles partners Maryna Weksler and freshman Paulina Bakaite who also won their match against UNF in a 7-6 match.
The winning streak continued during the single matches when freshman Basak Akbas stepped onto the court.
Akbas beat UNF Valentina Mariotto in a 6-1,6-1 match, securing another win for the Panthers.
Not being one to go down without a fight, UNF fought back against FIU during the single matches. UNF Sean Lodzki took down FIU freshman Maria Solynshkina in a 6-3 and 6-1 match. Followed by sophomore Sandra Bozinovic losing to Ana Paula Melilo in a 6-1 and 6-2 match-up.
It was the efforts of Veksler and Bakaite in their singles matches that the Panthers were able to shoot back up from the two loss matches.
Veksler defeated Lucia Montano is a close 7-6 match while Bakaite beat Florencia Rossi in a tie breaker game 6-4 and 7-6 match.
The Panthers now have an overall record of 3-4 and a Conference USA record of 1-0. They take on a trio of dual matches from March 1 to the 3.
Featured Image by: Sports Media Relations
