NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Coming off a three week layoff, the Sacred Heart University women's tennis team was narrowly defeated by preseason favorite Fairleigh Dickinson, 4-3, in the Northeast Conference opener for both teams on Saturday evening at Yale. The Pioneers are now 3-5, while the Knights win their first match in nine tries.

Already guaranteed one point thanks to a default at sixth singles, SHU needed to win four singles matches or three singles and one doubles. Katie DeRienzo continued her fantastic form, winning her eighth straight at first singles, 6-1, 2-1, retired. She is now 14-3 overall and 6-0 in dual play. Also earning a point for the Pioneers was Taylor Gurda. Playing at fourth singles, she cruised to an easy 6-2, 6-0 victory, her third straight.

The Knights earned second and fourth singles points with two set triumphs, losing only seven combined games. The ultimate victory-clinching point came in third singles, which was the only match to go three sets. Nicole Rydzewski fought back and forth with her competitor, coming back to win the second set 6-4 after falling in the first 6-3. It was much of the same in the third and decisive set, with FDU ultimately prevailing 6-4.

FDU stole the doubles points by winning both matches. Riding a three match win streak together, Rydweski and DeRienzo battled at second doubles, but ultimately came up short by a score of 8-6. Post and Paige Olson dropped the first doubles contest 8-4.

SHU continues conference action tomorrow at 5 pm, as it hosts Wagner at Yale University.

Singles

Doubles