TRUMBULL, Conn. — In their Northeast Conference opener, the Sacred Heart University women's tennis program bested Fairleigh Dickinson, 5-2, at home on Monday. The Pioneers are 1-1 overall and 1-0 in conference play, while the Knights, who were voted to win the league, dropped to 0-3 and 0-1 in the NEC. 

Lauren Santarsiero and Flavia Rambaldi opened with a 6-4 win in number three doubles. The Knights won at number two, but Vitalina Golod and Ciara O'Toole came through at number one, 7-5, to secure the singles point.

The Pioneers lost the first singles matchup but came back with full force to win the next three to clinch the team victory. Flavia Rambaldi got a 6-4, 6-4 win at number six then at number four Katsiaryna Starastsenka prevailed 6-4, 6-4. O'Toole closed out a victory in a three-set trumph.

On the heels of their win, the Pioneers travel to St. John's on Tuesday for a noon matchup. 

Doubles Competition 

1. Vitalina Golod/Ciara O'Toole (SHU) def. Amina Lasheen/Shreya Gulia (FDU) 7-5 

2. Tatiana Eftenoiu/Smriti Singh (FDU) def. Brianne Lauria/Katsiaryna Starastsenka (SHU) 7-5 

3. Lauren Santarsiero/Flavia Rambaldi (SHU) def. Anamaria Vladescu/Isabelle Ismanescu (FDU) 6-4 

Singles Competition 

1. Amina Lasheen (FDU) def. Vitalina Golod (SHU) 3-2, 0-1 retired 

2. Ciara O'Toole (SHU) def. Tatiana Eftenoiu (FDU) 6-1, 5-7, 6-3 

3. Smriti Singh (FDU) def. Brianne Lauria (SHU) 6-1, 5-7, 7-5 

4. Katsiaryna Starastsenka (SHU) def. Shreya Gulia 6-4, 6-4 

5. Lauren Santarsiero (SHU) def. Anamaria Vladescu (FDU) 4-6, 7-6 (2), 6-3 

6. Flavia Rambaldi (SHU) def. Aishwarya Gandotra (FDU) 6-4, 6-4 

Order of finish: Doubles (3, 2, 1) Singles (1, 6, 4, 2, 3, 5)