Troy Falls to FIU on Hardcourts

MIAMI, Fla. - Playing their second match is as many days in South Florida, the Troy Trojans dropped a 5-2 decision to 48th-ranked Florida International University on the University Park tennis courts Friday afternoon.

The Trojans dropped the doubles point, falling behind 1-0 to the nationally-ranked Golden Panthers. FIU (4-3) earned the doubles point Friday, taking all three matches. After Liset Brito and Maria Vallasciani beat Mirte De Bakker and Stephanie Vieira, 8-3, at number two, the Golden Panthers Maria Spenceley and Priscilla Castillo clinched the point at number three, beating Annabelle Bares and Gabriella Viega, 8-2.

FIU earned the doubles sweep with an 8-2 victory at number one by Maria Pazo and Mariana Muci over Rawia Elsisi and Leonie Guijt.

The Trojans fell behind 3-0 after the first two singles matches were wrapped up. The Golden Panthers continued their dominant play early and picked up a pair of singles points when No. 101-ranked Brito topped Elsisi, 6-2, 6-2, at number one and Castillo handled De Bakker, 6-3, 6-2, at number three.

The Trojans (3-3) stayed alive, however, cracking the scoreboard when Guijt beat Spenceley, 6-2, 6-4, at number four. But the Golden Panthers secured the match moments later, when No. 58-ranked Muci defeated Bares, 6-2, 6-4, at number two.

With the match already decided, FIU and Troy split the remaining two matches of the afternoon. Pazo took a 7-6 (3), 6-1 decision over Vieira before the Trojans won the final match at number six where Caroline Joaunin beat Vallasciani, 6-2, 7-5.

Troy returns to action Saturday afternoon on the road at 12th-ranked Florida in Gainesville.

Troy vs. FIU Golden Panthers
2/20/2009 at Miami, Fla.
#48 FIU Golden Panthers 5, Troy 2

Singles
1. #101 Liset Brito (FIU) def. Rawia Elsisi (TROY) 6-2, 6-2
2. #58 Mariana Muci (FIU) def. Annabelle Bares (TROY) 6-2, 6-4
3. Priscilla Castillo (FIU) def. Mirte De Bakker (TROY) 6-3, 6-2
4. Leonie Guijt (TROY) def. Maria Spenceley (FIU) 6-2, 6-4
5. Maria Pazo (FIU) def. Stephanie Vieira (TROY) 7-6 (7-3), 6-1
6. Caroline Joaunin (TROY) def. Maria Vallasciani (FIU) 6-2, 7-5

Doubles
1. Maria Pazo/Mariana Muci (FIU) def. Rawia Elsisi/Leonie Guijt (TROY) 8-2
2. Liset Brito/Maria Vallasciani (FIU) def. Mirte De Bakker/Stephanie Vieira (TROY) 8-3
3. Maria Spenceley/Priscilla Castillo (FIU) def. Annabelle Bares/Gabriella Viega (TROY) 8-2

Match Notes:
Troy 3-2
FIU Golden Panthers 4-3; National ranking #48
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3,1); Singles (1,3,4,2,5,6)

Troy University Athletics

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