APRIL 11, 2010 - With the Northeast Conference Championships coming up next weekend, the Saint Francis women's tennis team proved they're ready for the challenge as they defeated fellow NEC members Monmouth 4-3 and Wagner 6-2 this past weekend.  

On Friday, Samantha Fulchiero (Altoona, Pa./Bishop Guilfoyle) and Juliana Gustafson (Keyser, W.Va./Keyser) (Keyser, W. Va./Keyser) earned the hard fought 8-7 win over Monmouth's Nicole Lippens and Katie Tierney at No. 1 doubles in West Long Branch, N.J.  Caitlin Bart (Warren, Ohio/Howland) (Warren, Ohio/Howard) and Laura Husband (Dawson, Pa./Connellsville Area) (Dawson, Pa./Connellsville Area) defeated Jessica Singer and Kelly Freidrich 8-3 at No. 3 doubles as the Flash claimed two of the three doubles matches.

Stephanie Rivera (El Paso, Texas/America's High School) (El Paso, Texas/America's HS) earned a 6-3, 6-0 win over Slinger at No. 2 singles.  Bart beat Britney Dupuis in three sets at the No. 5 slot, while Laura Husband (Dawson, Pa./Connellsville Area) claimed a 7-6, 6-3 win over Diane Washer at No. 7 singles.  

The Red Flash took eight of nine matches against the Seahawks on Staten Island on Sunday afternoon.  Fulchiero and Gustafson took the 8-6 victory over Nikki Arnold and Aurora Brennen at No. 1 doubles.  Rivera teamed with Devyn Sarver (Mount Clemens, Mich./Fraser) for an 8-3 win over Wagner's Joanna Ciavarella and Sabrina Dileo in the No. 2 slot.  A win by Brianna Mapes (Somerset, Pa./Shanksville) (Somerset, Pa./Shanksville) and Laura Husband (Dawson, Pa./Connellsville Area) (Dawson, Pa./Connellsville Area) completed the sweep at doubles.

Fulchiero defeated Arnold in extra sets at No. 1 singles, with Rivera taking a 6-0, 6-4 win from Brennen in the No. 2 slot.  Sarver, Bart and Husband each got wins as well.

SFU will compete in the NEC Tournament starting on April 16.