MIAMI (April 2, 2021) - The FIU women's tennis team stayed undefeated as the Panthers topped the 28th-ranked Rice Owls at home on Friday, 4-3.
With the win, FIU improves to 8-0 overall and 3-0 in Conference USA play. The 8-0 start is FIU's best since 1994, while the ranked win is the highest for the program since 2010.
The score was tied at 3-3 on Friday, before
Andjela Skrobonja rallied to win six-straight games and clinch the 4-3 win.
"In the third set I just kept telling myself 'breathe' and that's what helped me stay calm," Skrobonja said after falling behind 2-0 in the third set.
The freshman from Serbia downed her Rice foe 7-5, 6-7, 6-2 in the three-set thriller to give the Panthers the dramatic victory.
"I am very happy I won the deciding match," Skrobonja said. "My teammates were really great, they helped me keep the energy up and they motivated me. I am so happy for us and we deserved this win because we've worked so hard all season long."
Skrobonja and partner
Kamila Umarova clinched the doubles point earlier in the match, with a 6-3 victory on court one to give FIU the 1-0 advantage heading into singles play.
Rice stormed back to go up 3-1, but the Panthers responded with wins from Umarova and
Marina Alcaide in straight-sets to even the score at 3-3 before Skrobonja's clincher on court four.
UP NEXT
FIU plays host to USF for its final home match of the season on Sunday, April 4. First serve is slated for Noon at the FIU Tennis Courts.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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