Next Match:
at #57 Rice
4/5/2026 | Noon
Apr. 05 (Sun) / Noon
at #57 Rice
HOUSTON, Texas — FIU’s women’s tennis program rallied from a 3-1 deficit to defeat South Florida 4-3 on Saturday afternoon at the George R. Brown Tennis Center.
The Panthers (9-8) showed resilience throughout the match, overcoming an early setback in doubles and battling back in singles to secure the road victory.
In doubles play, South Florida claimed the opening point with wins at Nos. 1 and 3. FIU’s lone victory came at No. 2, where Jelena Vico and Vittoria Baccino earned a strong 6-2 win.
South Florida carried that momentum into singles, taking early wins at Nos. 5 and 2 to build a 3-1 lead after FIU got on the board with Aleksandra Simeva’s dominant 6-3, 6-1 victory at No. 6.
From there, FIU mounted its comeback. Jelena Vico narrowed the deficit with a 7-5, 6-3 win at No. 3, before Maria Lucia Araoz-Gosn battled back after dropping the first set to earn a composed 3-6, 7-6(3), 6-3 victory at No. 4 to even the match at 3-3.
With one point left to decide the match, Katerina Mandelikova delivered in the clincher at No. 1, grinding out a three-set victory, 7-5, 5-7, 6-1, to secure the comeback win for the Panthers.
UP NEXT
FIU remains in Houston to face Rice on Sunday at noon at the George R. Brown Tennis Center.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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