Box Score

FORT MYERS, Fla. - A shorthanded Kennesaw State women's tennis team fought valiantly in their Atlantic Sun opener before dropping a 4-3 heartbreaker to Florida Gulf Coast University (2-3, 1-0 A-Sun).  The Owls (5-4, 0-1 A-Sun), who were forced to play with five players due to injuries, captured four of the seven matches that were played, but two forfeits led to the final score.

In the doubles, the tandem of Alexandra Apostu and Virginie Stein picked up the win at the No. 1 spot, 8-5, over the Eagle duo of Marina Diez and Morgan Bechtel.  The Owls, who forfeited the No. 3 match, would then drop No. 2 doubles, 8-4, to drop the crucial doubles point.

In the singles, the Owls swept the top three spots, but it was not enough, as the Eagles picked up wins and No. 4 and No. 5, as well as a forfeit at the No. 6 spot.  The match of the day involved senior Vera Shkundina and FGCU freshman Sarah Means.  In an epic battle that lasted nearly three hours, Shkundina showed why she has been one of the Atlantic Sun's top players over the last four years by saving four match points and downing Means, 6-7(5), 7-6(7), 1-0(9).

The Owls will next travel to Stetson to face off with the Hatters on Saturday.  First serve at the Mandy Stoll Tennis Center on the Stetson University campus is scheduled for 10:00 a.m.