Florida Atlantic Women’s Tennis Achieves Historic Milestones in Recent Season

The Florida Atlantic University (FAU) women’s tennis team has marked a remarkable chapter in its history, concluding the season with a standout achievement: a national ranking of No. 27. Additionally, the doubles team of Lara Smejkal and Malwina Rowinska garnered a No. 55 ranking, the first for any FAU duo in NCAA Division I history since 1991-1992.

Unprecedented Undefeated Record

FAU became the only team in the nation to finish the regular season undefeated, achieving a flawless 16-0 record. The team showcased its resilience in the American Athletic Conference Championship, making it to the semifinals. This successful run led to an invitation to the NCAA Tournament, marking the first time the FAU women’s tennis team has participated since 2005.

Impressive Tournament Journey

The Owls began their NCAA Tournament journey with a victory against former conference rival Old Dominion. However, their advancement was halted in the next round by Duke, the tournament host and No. 8 seed.

Record-Breaking Individual Performances

Notably, every player on the singles courts achieved double-digit wins for the first time in program history. Malwina Rowinska stood out with a remarkable 16-4 record and a stellar 15-1 in dual match play. Senior Lexi Silna concluded her dual match career with a commendable 12-2 record, while fellow senior Milli-Mae Matthews wrapped up her tenure with a solid 10-3 mark.

Doubles Dominance

Doubles play was a cornerstone of the team’s success, with Rowinska again leading the charge. She finished the season with a 20-7 doubles record, partnering with Lara Smejkal for a notable 15-3 record in dual matches. Their exceptional performance earned them a national ranking, a historic first for FAU’s doubles teams in recent decades.

Coaching Milestones

This season’s achievements can be attributed to the strategic direction of Ricardo Gonzalez, who took over as the director of tennis in the spring of 2022. This marks back-to-back seasons of ranking among the nation’s elite, an accomplishment only previously achieved three times.

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