BOCA RATON, Fla. - The KSU women's tennis team got back on the winning track today on the road with a 4-3 win over Florida Atlantic University in a non-conference matchup.  The Owls closed out several close matches down the stretch to pull off the upset over the Sun Belt school with the same mascot.

Florida Atlantic (5-7) took the doubles point after a come-from-behind victory over Kennesaw State (7-7) at the No. 2 doubles spot.  KSU picked up the win at No. 3 doubles when Iesha Holton and Agatha Palider, who were paired together for the first time today, dropped their FAU opponent, 8-5.

Kennesaw State evened the score when Vera Shkundina finished off her FAU opponent in a third set super tiebreaker.  In a back and forth affair, the teams traded victories until the match stood in KSU's favor, 3-2.  Agatha Palider and Morgan Carney were both nearing the completion of their matches when rain interrupted play.  Palider had just finished coming back from a set down to even her match at one match apiece, and Carney was deep into the second set after dropping the first.  When the rains subsided, Palider got back to business and finished off her FAU opponent, 10-7 in the third set to clinch the match for KSU.  Carney fell in a second set tiebreaker for the final count.

"This is a great win for our team," commented head coach Brandon Padgett.  "They beat Middle Tennessee State University yesterday, and that team was nationally ranked two weeks ago.  This is a great step for our program."

The Owls of KSU return to the court at home this Friday against the University of Alabama at Birmingham.  Match time is noon at the KSU Tennis Center.  Parking is available in the East Parking Deck.

Results:

KSU 4, FAU 3

Doubles:
1) Justine Humair/Cassie Bergeson (FAU) def. Vera Shkundina/Ayano Tanaka (KSU) 8-5
2) Erika Mrazkova/Natalia Totevska (FAU) def. Mackenzie Swindall/Morgan Carney (KSU) 9-8(6)
3) Agatha Palider/Iesha Holton (KSU) def. Dominique Wimmer/Virginia Augustin (FAU) 8-5

Singles:
1) Vera Shkundina (KSU) def. Justine Humair (FAU) 3-6, 6-3, 1-0(1)
2) Natalia Totevska (FAU) def. Morgan Carney (KSU) 6-4, 7-6(6)
3) Natasha Basma (FAU) def. Iesha Holton (KSU) 6-4, 6-1
4) Ayano Tanaka (KSU) def. Cassie Bergeson (FAU) 6-2, 4-6, 1-0(8)
5) Agatha Palider (KSU) def. Erika Mrazkova (FAU) 3-6, 6-2, 1-0(7)
6) Therese Lagerkvist (KSU) def. Dominique Wimmer (FAU) 6-3, 6-3