NEW ORLEANS, La. (April 24, 2010) --- The FIU women's tennis team held off the ULM Warhawks (17-7), 4-3, on Saturday, April 24 to earn a berth in the 2010 Sun Belt Championship. Mariana Muci's straight-set victory over Lena Satge, gave FIU its 14 win of the season.
With the win, the Golden Panthers (14-7) advances to their fifth-straight Sun Belt Championship match and look to defend their 2009 crown.
FIU took the double's point winning two-of-three doubles matches. Liset Brito and Priscilla Castillo defeated Claire Clark and Monica Winkel (9-7) while the duo of Christine Serendi and Muci downed Sidney Bruscato and Satge (8-4). ULM's Vivan Polak and Ana Burjaili defeated Maria Spenceley and Maria Vallasciani (8-5).
In singles competition, FIU took a 2-0 lead following Vallasciani's straight-set victory over Bruscato (6-1, 6-0). Castillo gave the Golden Panthers a 3-0 advantage with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Burjaili. ULM battled back to tie the contest at 3-all with three-straight wins as Polak defeated Spenceley (2-6, 6-2, 6-2), Clark defeated Brito (6-4, 6-4), and Winkel defeated Seredni (6-4, 6-2). The Golden Panthers ended the match as Muci defeated Satge (7-6 [7], 6-2).
The win marked the team's fourth-straight and improved the Golden Panthers to 4-0 at neutral sites this season.
FIU and North Texas will battle for the 2010 Sun Belt Championship on Sunday, April 25 at 1:00 p.m. ET. The Golden Panthers defeated the Mean Green earlier this season, 5-2, in Mobile, Ala.
Tennis Match Results
ULM vs FIU Golden Panthers
Apr 24, 2010 at New Orleans, La.
#49 FIU Golden Panthers 4, ULM 3
Singles competition
1. Claire Clark (ULM) def. #90 Brito, Liset (FIU) 6-4, 6-4
2. Monica Winkel (ULM) def. Seredni, Christine (FIU) 6-4, 6-2
3. Muci, Mariana (FIU) def. Lena Satge (ULM) 7-6 (9-7), 6-2
4. Vivian Polak (ULM) def. Spenceley, Maria (FIU) 2-6, 6-2, 6-2
5. Castillo, Priscilla (FIU) def. Ana Burjaili (ULM) 6-2, 6-4
6. Vallasciani, Maria (FIU) def. Sidney Bruscato (ULM) 6-1, 6-0
Doubles competition
1. Brito, Liset/Castillo, Priscilla (FIU) def. Monica Winkel/Claire Clark (ULM) 9-7
2. Seredni, Christine/Muci, Mariana (FIU) def. Sidney Bruscato/Lena Satge (ULM) 8-4
3. Vivian Polak/Ana Burjaili (ULM) def. Spenceley, Maria/Vallasciani, Maria (FIU) 8-5
Match Notes:
ULM 17-7
FIU Golden Panthers 14-7; National ranking #49
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (6,5,2,1,4,3)
#1 FIU, #5 ULM
SBC Semifinals
FIU advances to Sunday 12 p.m. final vs North Texas/ULL winner
