PENSACOLA â€" Down 3-0 after doubles, #11 Florida Southern fought back by taking five of the six singles matches, including a decisive win by Agnese Rozite, to defeat #7 West Florida, 5-4 on Saturday afternoon for the Moccasins’ second win of the season over a top-10 team.
The Argonauts (16-10) were up 3-0 in the match after the top flight doubles team of Taylor Brewster and Caitlyn Baines, ranked #21 in the country, defeated Rozite and Sabine Goge, ranked #16 in the country, 8-5. They added to their total when Naomi Higa won at the #5 singles position, but that was the final point for West Florida.
The Moccasins (14-4) were able to tie the match with straight-set wins from Pamela Paradis, Joalis Dominguez, Veronika Kovacikova and Goge, before 31st-ranked Rozite won a 3-set decision over 21st-ranked Brewster, 6-4, 6-7, 6-4, at #1 singles. That gave Florida Southern it’s second top-10 victory of the season after edging #8 California (PA) by the same 5-4 score on March 9.
It also marked the second-highest ranked opponent the Moccasins have ever beaten. Two years ago, they beat West Florida 5-4, when the Argonauts were ranked #5. That was also the last time the Mocs rallied from a 3-0 deficit after doubles play for a win.
Saturday’s win could give Florida Southern a boost in the NCAA regional rankings as well. The Mocs began the week ranked #5, with West Florida at #3.
Florida Southern will conclude the regular season Sunday against the University of Montevallo (AL), with that match also being played at West Florida.
