NEW ORLEANS, La. (April 23, 2010) --- The FIU women's tennis team took one step closer to defending its 2009 Sun Belt crown with a 4-1 win over Arkansas State (8-9) during the second round of the 2010 Sun Belt Championship on Friday, April 23 in New Orleans, La.
FIU (13-7) fell behind, 1-0, dropping two-of-three doubles matches to start the contest. All-conference duo Priscilla Casto and Liset Brito were defeated by Elne Barnard and Rone' van Wyk (8-4). Maria Jose Vallasciani and Maria Spenceley fell to Menna Kamal and Jenny Herring (8-6). The Golden Panthers took the final doubles match as Mariana Muci and Christine Seredni defeated Ioana Teu and Tina Ojdanic (8-1).
Following a four-hour delay due to thunderstorms in the area, FIU took control of the contest winning four-straight singles matches for the team's third-consecutive victory. All-conference selections Brito and Seredni led the Golden Panthers as four singles victories resulted in FIU's seventh win over a Sun Belt foe this season. Brito defeated Barnard in straight sets (6-2, 6-1). Seredni, who dropped the first set, 6-0, battled back to defeat Herring (0-6, 6-4, 6-2). Castillo won in straight sets over Kamal (6-2, 6-2) and Maria Vallasciani downed Maria Aleman (6-0, 3-6, 6-3).
The Golden Panthers will face the winner of Troy/ULM in the semifinals of the Sun Belt Tournament on Saturday, April 24 at 3 p.m. ET.
Tennis Match Results
Arkansas State vs FIU Golden Panthers
Apr 23, 2010 at New Orleans, La.
#49 FIU Golden Panthers 4, Arkansas State 1
Singles competition
1. #90 Brito, Liset (FIU) def. Barnard, Elne (ASU) 6-2, 6-1
2. Seredni, Christine (FIU) def. Herring, Jenny (ASU) 0-6, 6-4, 6-2
3. Muci, Mariana (FIU) vs. van Wyk, Rone' (ASU) 4-6, 4-6, 1-2, unfinished
4. Spenceley, Maria (FIU) vs. Teu, Ioana (ASU) 6-3, 2-0, unfinished
5. Castillo, Priscilla (FIU) def. Kamal, Menna (ASU) 6-2, 6-2
6. Vallasciani, Maria (FIU) def. Aleman, Maria (ASU) 6-0, 3-6, 6-3
Doubles competition
1. Barnard, Elne/van Wyk, Rone' (ASU) def. Brito, Liset/Castillo, Priscilla (FIU) 8-4
2. Seredni, Christine/Muci, Mariana (FIU) def. Teu, Ioana/Ojdanic, Tina (ASU) 8-1
3. Herring, Jenny/Kamal, Menna (ASU) def. Vallasciani, Maria/Spenceley, Maria (FIU) 8-6
Match Notes:
Arkansas State 8-9
FIU Golden Panthers 13-7; National ranking #49
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles ()
No. 1 FIU, No. 9 ASU
SBC Quarterfinals
Match suspended in singles' play and moved to Hilton Riverside
Winner advances to face ULM or Troy in Saturday semifinals
All Times Eastern