Owls Capture Season Home Opener 5-2, Over UNF

Friday, January 20

Boca Raton, Fla.

1 p.m.

Florida Atlantic

North Florida

1/20/2023 6:20:00 PM | Women's Tennis

Box Score

BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Owls won five of six singles matches, Friday afternoon, to give Florida Atlantic University a 5-2 win over the visiting UNF Osprey. The win moves FAU to 2-0 on the year and breaks the all-time series tie, which now stands at 5-4 Owls.

FAU spotted the Osprey the doubles point and then moved into competitive singles play where sophomore Millie-Mae Matthews captured her matches 6-3, 6-3 and evened the match score at 1-1. Redshirt senior Martina Kudelova broke through with a 7-5 first set win and then went on to 6-2 second set and the win, giving FAU a 2-1 margin.

Sophomore Lexi Silna and newcomer Victoria Gomez O'Hayon had a big day, teaming together for a doubles victory on court two and both won their singles matches. In fact, Silna's three-set win gave the Owls a 3-2 lead, and Gomez O'Hayon's 6-1, 1-6, 6-2 win on court five clinched the victory for FAU minutes later.

Prior to the match, the coaches elected to play clinch doubles and to play out singles, a decision that allowed FAU to gather around court two to cheer for teammate and senior Katerina Filip, who captured her tight match 6-1, 5-7, 6-3 and gave FAU the 5-2 win.

QUOTABLE

"Great win today against a tough opponent, said Maria Alvarez, FAU's assistant coach. "We see a lot of improvement in doubles, but today, we missed some good opportunities to take the point. The girls bounced back in singles, where they showed their fighting spirit and their commitment to get the team win. We are proud of the way they compete. Now it's time to recover and get ready for K-State on Sunday."

RESULTS

1/20/23 at Boca Raton, Fla. | Kimberly V. Strauss Tennis Center
Florida Atlantic 5, North Florida Women's Tennis 2
Singles competition
1. Kudelova, Martina (FAU-W) def. Kit Gulihur (UNFW) 7-5, 6-2
2. Filip, Katerina (FAU-W) def. Annabelle Davis (UNFW) 6-1, 5-7, 6-3
3. Silna, Lexi (FAU-W) def. Megan Forster (UNFW) 6-4, 3-6, 6-2
4. Isabel Oliveira (UNFW) def. McGinnis, Amber (FAU-W) 7-6 (8-6), 6-2
5. Gomez O'Hayon, Vic. (FAU-W) def. Jasmin Makela (UNFW) 6-1, 1-6, 7-5
6. Matthews, Millie-Mae (FAU-W) def. Kendall Nash (UNFW) 6-3, 6-3

Doubles competition
1. Kit Gulihur/Ana Paula Melilo (UNFW) def. Kudelova, Martina/McGinnis, Amber (FAU-W) 6-3
2. Silna, Lexi/Gomez O'Hayon, Vic. (FAU-W) def. Isabel Oliveira/Jasmin Makela (UNFW) 6-4
3. Kendall Nash/Megan Forster (UNFW) def. Filip, Katerina/Matthews, Millie-Mae (FAU-W) 6-4

Match Notes:
North Florida Women's Tennis 0-1
Florida Atlantic 2-0
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (6,1,4,3,5,2)
T-3:20

NEXT UP

The Owls will return to their home courts for a Sunday morning match versus Kansas State. First serve is scheduled for 10:30 a.m.

WATCH LIVE

FAU home matches are held at the Kimberly V. Strauss Tennis Center where admission is free, and fans are encouraged to cheer.

Follow Along

For the Owls' complete schedule, click HERE. To follow the team socially, visit @fauwtennis, or for the most up-to-date information go to www.fausports.com.