March 30, 2002

BOCA RATON, FL - Florida Atlantic University closed out a perfect home schedule with a 4-3 victory over New Mexico State Saturday in Boca Raton. It was the 11th straight win for the Lady Owls and the second in as many days against a ranked opponent. It also gave FAU (14-4) a perfect 12-0 mark at home.

New Mexico State, ranked no. 61, took an early 1-0 lead by winning two of the three double matches. The lone FAU victory came at no. 2 as Maria Aguirre-Gomez and Tania Rivera teamed to defeat Elke Blodau and Lejla Porobic 8-4.

In singles, FAU won the first four matches to clinch the victory. Aguirre-Gomez got things started with a quick 6-1, 6-1 win over Claire Hamilton at no. 2. That was followed by a win by Alena Dvorakova at no. 1 as she defeated Stella Veerman 6-2, 6-4 to give the Lady Owls a 2-1 lead. Tania Rivera won her 11th straight match in a 6-2, 7-6 win over Harriet Piercy at no. 4. FAU clinched the match when Maya Case picked up a 7-6, 6-3 win at no. 6 over Caroline Blechschmidt.

Florida Atlantic next faces Virginia Tech April 12 in Blacksburg, VA.

FAU 4, No. 61 New Mexico State 3

Singles
1. Alena Dvorakova (FAU) d. Stella Veerman (NMS) 6-2, 6-4.
2. Maria Aguirre-Gomez (FAU) d. Claire Hamilton (NMS) 6-1, 6-1.
3. Elke Blodau (NMS) d. Karolina Roubickova (FAU) 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.
4. Tania Rivera (FAU) d. Harriet Piercy (NMS) 6-2, 7-6.
5. Lejla Porobic (NMS) d. Stephanie Beaulieu (FAU) 6-4, 1-6, 7-6.
6. Maya Case (FAU) d. Caroline Blechschmidt (NMS) 7-6, 6-3.

Doubles
1. Hamilton/Piercy (NMS) d. Dvorakova/Roubickova (FAU) 8-3.
2. Aguirre-Gomez/Rivera (FAU) d. Blodau/Porobic (NMS) 8-4.
3. Blechschmidt/Veerman (NMS) d. Beaulieu/Case (FAU) 8-1.