Owls Beat Syracuse 6-1 in Home Opener

Friday, January 30

Boca Raton, Fla.

4 p.m.

Florida Atlantic

Syracuse

1/30/2026 7:48:00 PM | Women's Tennis

Box Score Photo Gallery

BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic women's tennis team captured the Owls' first home match of 2026 with a 6-1 victory over the visiting Syracuse on Friday afternoon. With the win, FAU evens the all-time series with Syracuse at 3-3.

QUOTABLE
"Today, our team delivered a strong performance against a talented Syracuse squad," said Ricardo Gonzalez. "I'm proud of how they maintained their focus from start to finish. Shout out to Lara, Katrin, and Alexia for their impressive victories in straight sets."

THE BEGINNING
The freshman doubles duo of Malwina Rowinska / Alexia Patru (FAU) set the tone with their first collegiate double win and did so in dominant fashion with a 6-0 win. Both courts #1 and #2 were swapping games until both courts took 5-3 leads and court #2 finished first to clinch the doubles point in favor of the Owls.

THE MIDDLE
Lara Smejkal was up 6-1, 6-3 when her opponent retired to put the Owls up 2-0. Shortly after, redshirt freshman Katrin Pavkova captured her court 6-1, 6-2. With FAU in control of every court, it was a race to see which would clinch the match.

THE END
Owl freshman Alexia Patru clinched the victory with a 6-2, 6-2 court #6 victory with the middle courts deep in action. Panna Bartha gave FAU a 5-0 lead with a 3-6, 6-1, 10-7 win. Rowinska completed the scoring for the Owls with a three set court #3 win.

PHOTO GALLERY

Gallery: (1-30-2026) Women's Tennis Syracuse Win

THE RESULTS
Syracuse (2-1) at Florida Atlantic (2-2)
Kimberly V. Strauss Tennis Center | Boca Raton, Fla. | January 30, 2026

Doubles
1. Lara Smejkal / Malwina Rowinska (FAU) def. Nelly Knezkova / Anastasia Sysoeva (SYR) 5-3 UF
2. Panna Bartha / Katrin Pavkova (FAU) def. Serafima Shastova . Monika Wojcik (SYR) 6-3
3. Malika Amirgaliyeva / Alexia Patru (FAU) def. Constance Levivier / Leena Bennetto (SYR) 6-0

Singles
1. Lara Smejkal (FAU) def. Serafima Shastova (SYR) 6-2, 3-0 (retire)
2. Panna Bartha (FAU) def. Anastasia Sysoeva (SYR) 3-6, 6-1, 10-7
3. Malwina Rowinska (FAU) def. Nelly Knezkova (SYR) 4-6, 6-3, 10-3
4. Monika Wojcik (SYR) def. Malika Amirgaliyeva (FAU) 4-6, 6-4, 10-1
5. Katrin Pavkova (FAU) def. Leena Bennetto (SYR) 6-1, 6-2
6. Alexia Patru (FAU) def. Emma Scaldalai (SYR) 6-2, 6-2

COMPLETE SCHEDULE
The Owls will next play host to FGCU on Friday, Feb. 13 at 12 p.m. For a complete schedule, click HERE.

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