GAINESVILLE - The No. 31 FIU Golden Panthers defeated No. 22 SMU Mustangs Friday afternoon at the first round of the ITA Indoor Team Qualifying Championships in Gainesville, Fla.
"This has been a great start to the season," said head coach Melissa Applebaum. "The girls competed beautifully on the courts. We're elated right now."
FIU (3-0) came out of the gates strong in doubles competition, taking wins at the Nos. 1 and 3 positions. The tandem of Liset Brito and Priscilla Castillo were off the court first with their impressive 8-1 victory over Marta Lesniak and Aleksandra Malyarchikova at the top position. On court three, Maria Vallasciani and Maria Pazo clinched the point for the Golden Panthers downing Casey Kennedy and Sophie Quist in a tight match, 9-7.
With an early 1-0 lead, FIU struck first in singles competition when Vallasciani took care of Quist at the No. 6 spot, 6-1, 6-1. Shortly after, Castillo joined Vallasciani in the win column with her 6-2, 6-2 win over Kennedy at the No. 5 spot giving FIU a 3-0 advantage.
After SMU (4-1) closed the gap to 3-2 with consecutive wins at the Nos. 2 and 4, Chrissie Serendi sealed the victory for the Golden Panthers in her three-set win over Pavi Francis, 1-6, 6-2, 6-4 at the No. 3 position.
"We need to capitalize on the momentum we have right now," added Applebaum. "We came here to win and that's our goal."
No. 31 FIU Golden Panthers will face No. 8 Florida Gators in the second round of the ITA Team Indoor Qualifying Championships. First serve is set for 2 p.m.
Tennis Match Results
FIU Golden Panthers vs SMU Mustangs
Jan 29, 2010 at Gainesville, Fla.
#31 FIU Golden Panthers 4, #22 SMU Mustangs 2
Singles competition
1. #30 Lesniak, Marta (SMU) vs. Brito, Liset (FIU) 6-7 (6-8), 6-2, 3-4, unfinished
2. #76 Malyarchikova, Alek. (SMU) def. Muci, Mariana (FIU) 4-6, 6-1, 6-3
3. Seredni, Christine (FIU) def. Francis, Pavi (SMU) 1-6, 6-2, 6-4
4. Hatamova, Shahzoda (SMU) def. Spenceley, Maria (FIU) 6-2, 6-0
5. Castillo, Priscilla (FIU) def. Kennedy, Casey (SMU) 6-2, 6-2
6. Vallasciani, Maria (FIU) def. Quist, Sophie (SMU) 6-1, 6-1
Doubles competition
1. Brito, Liset/Castillo, Priscilla (FIU) def. Lesniak, Marta/Malyarchikova, Alek. (SMU) 8-1
2. Francis, Pavi/Hatamova, Shahzoda (SMU) vs. Muci, Mariana/Spenceley, Maria (FIU) 6-6, unfinished
3. Vallasciani, Maria/Pazo, Maria (FIU) def. Kennedy, Casey/Quist, Sophie (SMU) 9-7
Match Notes:
FIU Golden Panthers 3-0; National ranking #31
SMU Mustangs 4-1; National ranking #22
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3); Singles (6,5,4,2,3)
