Feb. 21, 2003

BOCA RATON - Florida Atlantic University, ranked no. 75 in the nation, held off no. 64 Florida International University on way to posting a 4-3 victory Friday afternoon. Maria Aguirre-Gomez won the decisive point at no. 3 that secured the win for the Lady Owls.

FAU started the match off strong by winning the doubles point and taking an early 1-0 lead. Jessica Burrow and Maria Aguirre-Gomez coasted to an 8-3 win at no. 2, while Atlantic Sun player-of-the-week Alena Dvorakova teamed with Karolina Roubickova for a victory at no. 1.

In singles, Dvorakova quickly defeated Desanka Jovanovic at no. 1, 6-1, 6-2. Then Krystel Borg followed with a win at no. 5. Suddenly, FAU was up 3-0, but the Golden Panthers fought back. FIU won the next two matches and pulled within 3-2, with two matches carrying over into the third set.

That's when Aguirre-Gomez stepped up to win her vital match. After dropping the first set 3-6, Aguirre-Gomez stormed back to win the second set 6-1. Then in the third set, Aguirre-Gomez and Bruna Discordia battled to a 6-6 tie before Aguirre-Gomez won the tie break in 5.

With the win, FAU has now won four consecutive and holds a 6-2 record. The Lady Owls will look to keep the streak alive when they next host the University of Central Florida on February 27.

Singles

1. Alena Dvorakova (FAU) def. Desanka Jovanovic (FIU) 6-1, 6-2.
2. Mei Ly (FIU) def. Karolina Roubickova (FAU) 6-3, 6-4.
3. Maria Aguirre-Gomez (FAU) def. Bruna Discordia (FIU) 3-6, 6-1, 7-6.
4. Christine Suard (FIU) def. Tania Rivera (FAU) 6-3, 6-4.
5. Krystel Borg (FAU) def. Davina Duronio (FIU) 6-2, 6-3.
6. Courtney Jonson (FIU) def. Jessica Burrow (FAU) 6-2, 4-6, 7-5.

Doubles

1. Dvorakova/Roubickova (FAU) def. Discordia/Ly (FIU) 8-6.
2. Aguirre-Gomez/Burrow (FAU) def. Duronio/Jovanovic (FIU) 8-3.
3. Suard/Jonson (FIU) def. Rivera/Stephanie Beaulieu (FAU) 9-7.