Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Sunday, January 19
Boca Raton, Fla.
2 p.m.
Florida Atlantic
4
vs
0
Minnesota
FAU Women's Tennis Moves to 2-0 in the Year with Big 10 Win
1/19/2025 6:58:00 PM | Women's Tennis
BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic women's tennis defeated Minnesota by a 4-0 score on Sunday afternoon.
The Owls are off to a stellar start with wins over a ranked ACC opponent in Miami last Thursday and a win over Big 10 foe Minnesota on Sunday. Much of that success can be attributed to the play of seniors Lexi Silna and Millie-Mae Matthews. The duo is undefeated in dual match play in singles action and remains perfect in doubles play.
The Owls swept the doubles court and battled back on nearly every court except Silna's, who took charge from the opening serve to defeat her Minnesota opponent 6-0, 6-2, Matthews provided FAU's third point, in the clinch format, with a 2-6, 6-1, 6-3 win. The final point FAU needed to secure the win came on court two, where sophomore Panna Bartha came from behind to earn the win and secure an Owl victory at 0-6, 6-1, 7-6 (9-7).
"It was a tough battle out there today," said Alvarez. "We started strong with a great doubles point. Senior Lexi Silna did an excellent job in her singles and doubles match, demonstrating a strong sense of urgency. The match tightened up on every singles court, but the girls maintained their composure when it mattered most, digging deep and competing fiercely during those critical moments. I'm proud of their fighting spirit and resilience, showing what it means to never give up under pressure."
Doubles
#1 Rowinska, Malwina / Smejkal, Lara [FAU] def. Anali Kocevar / Mia Liepert [MINN] 6-3
#2 Gomez O'Hayon, Victoria / Matthews, Millie-Mae [FAU] def. Jeselle Ante / Yinong Ma [MINN] 6-3
#3 Bartha, Panna / Silna, Lexi [FAU] def. Sofia Pinto / Anlin Xie [MINN] 6-1
Order of Finish: 3, 1, 2
Singles
#1 Gomez O'Hayon, Victoria [FAU] vs. Aiva Schmitz [MINN] 6-8 (7-5), 6-3, 0-1 unf.
#2 Bartha, Panna [FAU] def. Anali Kocevar [MINN] 0-6, 6-1, 7-6 (9-7)
#3 Smejkal, Lara [FAU] vs. Mia Liepert [MINN] 1-6, 6-4, 4-1 unf.
#4 Rowinska, Malwina [FAU] vs. Anlin Xie [MINN] 7-6 (8-6), 4-5 unf.
#5 Silna, Lexi [FAU] def. Deniz Turan [MINN] 6-0, 6-2
#6 Matthews, Millie-Mae [FAU] def. Jeselle Ante [MINN] 2-6, 6-1, 6-3
Order of Finish: 5, 6, 2
The Owls are off to a stellar start with wins over a ranked ACC opponent in Miami last Thursday and a win over Big 10 foe Minnesota on Sunday. Much of that success can be attributed to the play of seniors Lexi Silna and Millie-Mae Matthews. The duo is undefeated in dual match play in singles action and remains perfect in doubles play.
The Owls swept the doubles court and battled back on nearly every court except Silna's, who took charge from the opening serve to defeat her Minnesota opponent 6-0, 6-2, Matthews provided FAU's third point, in the clinch format, with a 2-6, 6-1, 6-3 win. The final point FAU needed to secure the win came on court two, where sophomore Panna Bartha came from behind to earn the win and secure an Owl victory at 0-6, 6-1, 7-6 (9-7).
QUOTABLE
Maria Alvarez, Assistant Tennis Coach"It was a tough battle out there today," said Alvarez. "We started strong with a great doubles point. Senior Lexi Silna did an excellent job in her singles and doubles match, demonstrating a strong sense of urgency. The match tightened up on every singles court, but the girls maintained their composure when it mattered most, digging deep and competing fiercely during those critical moments. I'm proud of their fighting spirit and resilience, showing what it means to never give up under pressure."
MATCH RESULTS
Minnesota (1-2) at Florida Atlantic (2-0) | Date: 01/19/2025 | Time: 2:00 PM | Arena: Kimberly V. Strauss Tennis Center | Site: Boca Raton, Fla.Doubles
#1 Rowinska, Malwina / Smejkal, Lara [FAU] def. Anali Kocevar / Mia Liepert [MINN] 6-3
#2 Gomez O'Hayon, Victoria / Matthews, Millie-Mae [FAU] def. Jeselle Ante / Yinong Ma [MINN] 6-3
#3 Bartha, Panna / Silna, Lexi [FAU] def. Sofia Pinto / Anlin Xie [MINN] 6-1
Order of Finish: 3, 1, 2
Singles
#1 Gomez O'Hayon, Victoria [FAU] vs. Aiva Schmitz [MINN] 6-8 (7-5), 6-3, 0-1 unf.
#2 Bartha, Panna [FAU] def. Anali Kocevar [MINN] 0-6, 6-1, 7-6 (9-7)
#3 Smejkal, Lara [FAU] vs. Mia Liepert [MINN] 1-6, 6-4, 4-1 unf.
#4 Rowinska, Malwina [FAU] vs. Anlin Xie [MINN] 7-6 (8-6), 4-5 unf.
#5 Silna, Lexi [FAU] def. Deniz Turan [MINN] 6-0, 6-2
#6 Matthews, Millie-Mae [FAU] def. Jeselle Ante [MINN] 2-6, 6-1, 6-3
Order of Finish: 5, 6, 2
NEXT UP
The Owls will play at Florida Gulf Coast on Friday, Jan. 31 at 12 p.m.FOLLOW ALONG
To follow the team socially, visit @fauwtennis, or for the most up-to-date information, go to www.fausports.com.
Team Stats
#1 Doubles Match
#2 Doubles Match
#3 Doubles Match
Order of Finish:
3,1,2
#1 Singles Match
1234
Aiva Schmitz / 0 [MINN]
731UF
660UF
#2 Singles Match
123
Anali Kocevar / 0 [MINN]
616
067
#3 Singles Match
1234
Mia Liepert / 0 [MINN]
641UF
164UF
#4 Singles Match
123
Anlin Xie / 0 [MINN]
65UF
74UF
#5 Singles Match
12
Deniz Turan / 0 [MINN]
02
66
#6 Singles Match
123
Jeselle Ante / 0 [MINN]
613
266
Order of Finish:
5,6,2
Players Mentioned
Inside the Owls Burrow 2025-26 Spring Show #7
Wednesday, April 08
Inside the Owls Burrow 2025-26 Spring Show #6
Monday, March 30
Women's Tennis win over DePaul
Friday, March 27
Inside the Owls Burrow 2025-26 Spring Show #5
Monday, March 16