ORLANDO, Fla.- The Palm Beach Atlantic University women’s tennis team took out their second ranked opponent of the young season on Saturday afternoon as they battled No. 12-ranked Flagler College in a neutral site contest in Orlando. The Sailfish backed up their season-opening win over No. 18-ranked Florida Tech with a tight 5-4 victory over the Saints on Saturday.

The match began with two doubles wins by Palm Beach Atlantic (3-1) as freshman Veena Vasquez and graduate student Leydi Zora teamed for an 8-4 win over Rachel Gould and Barbara Sebkova at No. 1-singles and Victoria Baca and Natalia Trotter earned an 8-5 victory at No. 2-doubles.

Although Flagler (0-2) would bounce back with an 8-6 win at No. 3-doubles and a 6-2, 6-2 win by Veronica Figueroa at No. 1-singles, the Fish would soon regain command.

Baca led the charge with a 6-3, 6-2 win at No. 2-singles over Sebkova while Zora added in a 6-2, 6-3 win at No. 3-singles.

Even though Flagler jumped back into the race with wins at No. 4 and No. 5 singles, the Sailfish closed out the close victory when freshman Alexis Antista earned a come-from-behind win at No. 6-singles by the scores of 3-6, 6-3, 7-6.

Flagler came in to the match with the No. 4-ranking in the region while Palm Beach Atlantic held the No. 9-ranking in the region.

PBA 5, Flagler 4

Singles competition

1. Veronica Figueroa (FLG) def. Veena Vasquez (PBAWT) 6-2, 6-2
2. Victoria Baca (PBAWT) def. Barbora Sebkova (FLG) 6-3, 6-2
3. Leydi Zora (PBAWT) def. Jennifer Saviano (FLG) 6-2, 6-3
4. Rachel Gould (FLG) def. Natalia Trotter (PBAWT) 6-4, 6-2
5. Esther Santiago (FLG) def. Jessica Wharton (PBAWT) 6-1, 6-1
6. Alexis Antista (PBAWT) def. Lauren Ospina (FLG) 3-6, 6-3, 7-6

Doubles competition

1. Veena Vasquez/Leydi Zora (PBAWT) def. Rachel Gould/Barbora Sebkova (FLG) 8-4
2. Victoria Baca/Natalia Trotter (PBAWT) def. Veronica Figueroa/Jennifer Saviano (FLG) 8-5
3. Esther Santiago/Krista Ingrilli (FLG) def. Jessica Wharton/Alexis Antista (PBAWT) 8-6

Match Notes
Flagler 0-2; National ranking #13; Regional ranking #4
Palm Beach Atlantic University 3-1; Regional ranking #9