MIAMI (March 31, 2010) --- The FIU women's tennis team (11-7) rallied to defeat the No. 66-ranked Brown Bears (12-5), 4-3, on Wednesday, March 31 at the FIU Tennis Courts.
Trailing 3-2 in the match, FIU battled back for it eighth home win of the season. Wins by Liset Brito and Mariana Muci Torres led FIU to the victory. Brito, who trailed 4-0 in the final set, fought back to draw even with Cassandra Herzberg, 6-6. The Miami, Fla., native won the tie-break, 9-7, for her 12th victory of the year. Brito's victory tied the match at 3-all. Muci Torres fell behind 4-1 to Misia Krasowski in the final set of her match. However, the native of Valencia, Venezuela, won five-straight points to take the final set, 6-4. The win clinched the victory for FIU and gave Head Coach Melissa Applebaum her 30th-career victory.
FIU jumped out to a 1-0 lead after taking 2-of-3 matches in doubles competition. Brito and Priscilla Castillo defeated Bianca Aboukakre and Cassandra Herzberg (8-5). The victory improved the duo's record to 8-4 on the year. Mcui Torres and Maria Dolores Pazo fell to Julie Flanzer and Krasowski (8-4), while Maria Spenceley and Maria Jose Vallasciani downed Emily Ellis and Marisa Schonfeld (8-3).
Along with singles victories by Brito and Muci Torres, Castillo won in straight sets over Catherine Stewart (6-2, 6-4). The victory was the 58th of Castillo's career (No. 5 all-time in FIU history). Suffering defeats in today's match were Christine Seredni (6-3, 6-1 to Aboukakre), Spenceley (6-3, 7-6 [7-5] to Flanzer) and Vallasciani (6-3, 6-4 to Schonfeld).
The match also marked the final home contest for three FIU seniors. Castillo, Pazo, and Vallasciani were honored before the match.
The Golden Panthers will close out the 2010 regular season with a trip to Orlando, Fla., to take on the UCF Golden Knights on Saturday, April 10. Match time is 12 p.m. ET.
Tennis Match Results
Brown Bears vs FIU Golden Panthers
Mar 31, 2010 at Miami, Fla.
#41 FIU Golden Panthers 4, #66 Brown Bears 3
Singles competition
1. #92 Brito, Liset (FIU) def. Herzberg, Cassandra (BROWN) 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (9-7)
2. Aboubakare, Bianca (BROWN) def. Seredni, Christine (FIU) 6-3, 6-1
3. Muci, Mariana (FIU) def. Krasowski, Misia (BROWN) 2-6, 7-5, 6-4
4. Flanzer, Julie (BROWN) def. Spenceley, Maria (FIU) 6-3, 7-6 (7-5)
5. Castillo, Priscilla (FIU) def. Stewart, Catharine (BROWN) 6-2, 6-4
6. Schonfeld, Marisa (BROWN) def. Vallasciani, Maria (FIU) 6-3, 6-4
Doubles competition
1. Brito, Liset/Castillo, Priscilla (FIU) def. Aboubakare, Bianca/Herzberg, Cassandra (BROWN) 8-5
2. Flanzer, Julie/Krasowski, Misia (BROWN) def. Muci, Mariana/Pazo, Maria (FIU) 8-4
3. Spenceley, Maria/Vallasciani, Maria (FIU) def. Ellis, Emily/Schonfeld, Marisa (BROWN) 8-3
Match Notes:
Brown Bears 12-5; National ranking #66
FIU Golden Panthers 11-7; National ranking #41
