Florida Atlantic University’s women’s tennis team achieved multiple historic milestones during a record-breaking 2024–25 season, finishing with a national team ranking of No. 27 and a No. 55 national doubles ranking for the pairing of Lara Smejkal and Malwina Rowinska.
The Owls were the only NCAA Division I team to complete the regular season undefeated, going 16-0 before their streak ended in the semifinal round of the American Athletic Conference Championship.
Their strong performance earned them a spot in the NCAA Tournament—their first appearance since 2005. In the opening round, FAU defeated former conference rival Old Dominion. The Owls then fell to No. 8 seed and tournament host Duke in the second round.
The No. 27 national ranking is the highest in program history. This marks the second straight year the Owls ended the season ranked among the nation’s top teams, a feat previously achieved only three times and now done in back-to-back seasons under Director of Tennis Ricardo Gonzalez, who took over in spring 2022.
Another program first: every player in the singles lineup recorded at least 10 wins. Rowinska led the team with an impressive 16-4 overall record, including 15-1 in dual matches. Seniors Lexi Silna and Milli-Mae Matthews also posted strong finishes, ending with 12-2 and 10-3 dual match records, respectively.
Doubles play was a consistent strength throughout the season. Rowinska again led the way, compiling a 20-7 doubles record. Her partnership with Smejkal proved especially effective—they went 15-3 in dual matches and ended the year ranked No. 55 nationally. They are the first FAU women’s doubles team to earn a national ranking at the NCAA Division I level since 1991–92.
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