MIAMI (Jan. 26, 2017) – The FIU women's tennis team (1-1) fell to the Wichita State Shockers (3-0), with a 4-2 loss during the opening round of the ITA Kick-Off Weekend in Lubbock, Texas on Friday afternoon.
 
FIU won the doubles point as Andrea Lazaro and Nerma Caluk defeated Wichita State's Giulia Guidetti and Sarvinoz Saidhujaeva, 6-2, and FIU's Ulyana Grib and Maryna Veskler at No. 15 in the ITA Women's National Doubles Rankings won against No.23 Fatima Bizhukova and Gabriela Porubin, 6-3.
 
After the smooth start of the match, the Panthers lost two-straight points in singles play. Lazaro, ranked No. 3 in the nation by the ITA, lost against Bizhukova, 6-1, 6-2 and Mina Markovic fell to Porubin, 6-4,6-1. Following, Veksler lost to Guidetti 7-5, 6-2 and Grib fell against Sandra Honigova 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. The Shockers clinched the match with those two wins.
 
Freshman, Sandra Bozinovic won the lone single point against Saidhujaeva, 6-4, 6-4 as senior Caluk's match remained unfinished.
 
The Panthers will face Saint Mary's who fell to the host team Texas Tech. First serve is set for Saturday, Jan. 27, at 10 a.m.
 
Fans are encouraged to follow the Panthers on Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUWTennis) for all the latest FIU women's tennis news. Follow all of FIU's 18 athletic teams on Twitter (@FIUAthletics), Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUSports), YouTube (FIUPanthers), and Instagram (FIUathletics).