BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic women's tennis team, ranked No. 50 nationally, picked up their second win in as many days with a 4-2 victory over in-state foe No. 20 UCF on Friday.
Both teams entered the day with unblemished records. but after more than three-and-a-half hours of court work, it was the Owls on top with a 6-0 record while UCF fell to 7-1.
In doubles play, UCF jumped out with a quick win on court #3 and it looked like it would be a similar fate on courts #1 and #2, but that was not the case as the Owls clawed back to win both and clinching the match's first point.
UCF evened the match at 1-1, before FAU's
Malwina Rowinska captured court #4 and
Lexi Silna won on court #5 to give the Owls a 3-1 lead. The Knights cut into that lead making it 3-2 with two courts still in play. Senior
Millie-Mae Matthews won the court #6 battle at 7-6(7-5), 7-6(7-4) to clinch the match for the Owls.
Maria Alvarez, FAU's Assistant Women's Tennis Coach
"I am so proud of this team. They stay motivated and united by a common goal, and today it was clear how much they support each other. At the end of the day, this is making a huge difference in the crucial moments. They started by winning a very tough doubles match, which ended up being key for starting the singles with confidence.
"Malwina and Lexi did a great job winning in two sets, and then Millie closed out the match, doing what she does best: fighting for every point with heart and grit. This is a special group of girls and I'm sure this is just the beginning."
#20 UCF (7-1) at #50 Florida Atlantic (6-0)
Date: 02/21/2025
Time: 5:00 PM
Facility: Kimberly V. Strauss Tennis Center
Site: Boca Raton, Fla.
Doubles
#1 Rowinska, Malwina / Smejkal, Lara [FAU] def. Sophia Biolay / Aya El Aouni [UCF] 6-4
#2 Gomez O'Hayon, Victoria / Matthews, Millie-Mae [FAU] 7-6(7-4)
#3 Olivia Bergler / Jade Psonka [UCF] Bartha, Panna / Silna, Lexi [FAU] 6-4
Order of Finish: 3, 1, 2
Singles
#1 Gomez O'Hayon, Victoria [FAU] vs. No. 122 Aya El Aouni [UCF] 1-6, 7-6(7-4) 3-4 UF
#2 No. 98 Sophia Biolay [UCF] def. Bartha, Panna [FAU] 6-3, 6-1
#3 Olivia Bergler [UCF] def. Smejkal, Lara [FAU] 6-3, 6-4
#4 Rowinska, Malwina [FAU] def. Jade Psonka [UCF] 6-2, 6-2
#5 Silna, Lexi [FAU] def. Hannah Rylatt [UCF] 7-5, 6-1
#6 Matthews, Millie-Mae [FAU] def. Jantje Tilbuerger [UCF] 7-6(7-5), 7-6(7-4)
Order of Finish: 2, 4, 3, 5, 6
Gallery: (2-21-2025) Women's Tennis vs UCF
The Owls will play host to Boston University on Thursday, Mar. 13 at 10 a.m. at the Kimberly V. Strauss Tennis Center.
To follow the team socially, visit @fauwtennis, or for the most up-to-date information, go to
www.fausports.com.