WEST WINDSOR, N.J. – The Sacred Heart women's tennis season came to an end with a 4-2 loss to Fairleigh Dickinson in the quarterfinals of Northeast Conference Championships held at the Mercer Country Tennis Center on Friday afternoon. Taylor Gurda was the lone Pioneer to win on the day, cruising to a 6-1, 6-1 victory at fifth singles to finish the year 11-11 overall, including 9-7 in dual play. SHU closes out its 2014-15 campaign 7-10, while FDU improves to 2-14.

With Fairleigh Dickinson competing with just five players, Sacred Heart was awarded a point by default at sixth singles, meaning the Pioneers needed to win two of the five singles matches to force a winner-take-all doubles point scenario, or three to seal a victory. However, the Knights won four of the five singles matches to clinch a trip to the semifinals.  

FDU secured the winning point in a thrilling three set battle at third singles, in which each set was decided by just two games. It was the only match to be settled in a decisive third set. Nicole Rydzewski jumped out to an early advantage, taking the opening set 6-4 before her competitor pulled out the second 7-5. Just as the match had gone throughout the afternoon, the final set was back and forth before Fairleigh Dickinson ultimately prevailing by a final score of 7-5.

Katie DeRienzo had her stellar season come to an end in a 6-0, 6-1 loss at first singles. The two time NEC Player of the Week and NEC Player of the Month in February ends the year with a 19-6 overall record. She went 11-3 in dual play, including a perfect 4-0 in the conference regular season.

Fairleigh Dickinson earned its other two points at second and fourth singles, winning 6-2, 6-0, and 6-2, 6-4 respectively.

Singles

Doubles