On a day that began by honoring three senior members of the Stetson women's tennis team, the Hatters took their match down the wire against visiting Florida Gulf Coast at the Mandy Stoll Tennis Center before falling to the Eagles 4-3 in the final match of the regular season.
 
"We put up a big effort today," Hatters coach Travis Sandlant said. "We had a chance to have that special clinch win, but we fell just a little short. I want to thank the seniors for their four years here at Stetson. They have had a big impact on this program."
 
The Hatters fell behind early, dropping the doubles point with only Noa Cohen and Anais Gabriel earning a victory.
 
Singles play saw Stetson fall even further behind as Laia Pasini fell in straight sets on the No. 6 court and senior Danel Ashirova doing the same on court No. 2.
 
The Hatters came back strong from there. Senior Katie Kubicz earned a three-set victory on court No. 3 and Cohen followed suit, winning in three sets on court No. 5. Senior Brook Milner tied the match at 3-3 by taking her third set 7-6 on court No. 5.
 
That left Gabriel on court No. 1. After winning the first set 7-6, she got out of synch in the second set and lost 6-1. With the match on the line, she and Maja Ornberg battled to the very end before Ornberg took a 7-5 decision in the third set.
 
The Hatters fell to 6-8 overall on the year and 1-4 in ASUN play with the loss. FGCU finished 6-5 overall, with a 4-1 mark in league play.
 
The Hatters will close out their regular season schedule next Saturday, April 10, at Kennesaw State. After that, Stetson will likely meet the Eagles again in the ASUN Championship opening round on Saturday, April 17, in Ft. Myers.
 
FGCU 4, Stetson 3
04/03/21 at DeLand, Fla. (Mandy Stoll Tennis Center)
 
Singles competition
1. Maja Ornbert (FGCU) def. Anais Gabriel (STET) 6-7, 6-1, 7-5
2. Fanny Norin (FGCU) def. Danel Ashirova (STET) 6-2, 6-2
3. Katie Kubicz (STET) def. Sofia Perez (FGCU) 6-4, 3-6, 6-4
4. Brooke Milner (STET) def, Ida Ferding (FGCU) 3-6, 6-3, 7-6
5. Noa Cohen (STET) def. Alba Retortillo (FGCU) 6-2, 2-6, 6-4
6. Lourdes Ramalle (FGCU) def. Laia Pasini (STET) 6-2, 6-3

Doubles competition
1. Sofia Perez / Ida Ferding (FGCU) def. Danel Ashirova / Elodie Foster (STET) 6-2
2. Maja Ornberg / Fanny Norin (FGCU) def. Katie Kubicz / Brooke Milner (STET) 6-4
3. Noa Cohen / Anais Gabriel (STET) def. Alba Retortillo / Lourdes Ramalle (FGCU) 6-3

Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (6,2,3,5,4,1)
 
About Stetson University Athletics: Stetson University's Athletics Program has a vision of developing a culture of champions athletically, academically and within the community. This vision is accomplished through a mission of recruiting and developing student-athletes, coaches and staff, creating a culture of champions, within and outside of competition. The department operates with five core values: Championship Culture, Integrity, Excellence, Pride/Tradition and Leadership. To learn more about the Vision, Mission and Core Values for Stetson Athletics, visit GoHatters.com and click on Mission Statement under the Inside Athletics tab.