MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. (April 1, 2011) – The Red Flash women's tennis team opened up its spring Northeast Conference play with a, 6-1, win on Friday over St. Francis College at Robert Morris University's North Athletic Complex.

“This was an incredible win for us and a necessary confidence-booster going into this Saturday's conference matches,” said coach Paul Tobin. “The women have had such a tough season and I am so happy that they earned this important win. Winning the doubles point was crucial in keeping the momentum going during singles action.”

Truth be told, Saint Francis also had to overcome some adverse weather conditions on a wintry April day with temperatures hovering in the mid-30s.

The Flash got off to a strong start with the No. 1 duo of Devynn Sarver (Mt. Clemens, Mich./Fraser) and Alex Foty (Oakville, Ontario/Niagara Academy of Tennis) winning their match, 8-6, in the closest of the day's three doubles matches. At No. 2, Laura Husband (Dawson, Pa./Connellsville Area) and Maya Ranchod (Ellwood City, Pa./Lincoln ) blanked the Terriers' Renee Warner and Shimiere Douglass, 8-0. Finishing up SFU's first doubles sweep of the year were Abigail Derby and Beza Dejene (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia/Lycee Franco-Ethiopien Guebre Mariam) with an 8-2 victory.

In singles play, all outcomes were decided in two sets, beginning with Sarver's 7-6, 6-0 win in the No. 1 spot. After a hiccup at the No. 2 position, the Flash reeled off four straight wins to cruise to the victory.

No. 3 racquet Laura Husband (Dawson, Pa./Connellsville Area) had little trouble with SFC's Shakya Slay, dispatching her 6-1, 6-1 in Saint Francis' most lopsided singles win of the afternoon. Ranchod, Dejene and – playing her first singles match of the season – Abigail Derby all got into the win column.

“One of the main reasons I scheduled such tough non-conference matches this season was to get the women ready for these kind of matches,” said Tobin. “It proved to be the right move. Sarver, Foty and Husband are playing their best tennis of the season.”

“It will be interesting to see if they can keep this momentum going.”

The Flash will attempt to do just that on Saturday against Wagner in another match at Robert Morris. The match is expected to get underway around 5 p.m. – a delayed start due to rain.


Saint Francis 6, St. Francis (N.Y.) 1
Doubles
1. Sarver/Foty (SFU) def. Van Sluytman/Opala (SFC) 8-6
2. Husband/Ranchod (SFU) def. Warner/Douglas (SFC) 8-0
3. Derby/Dejene (SFU) def. Slay/Lawrence (SFC) 8-2

Singles
1. Devynn Sarver (Mt. Clemens, Mich./Fraser) (SFU) def. Ewa Opala (SFC) 7-6, 6-0
2. Arianna Van Sluytman (SFC) def. Alex Foty (Oakville, Ontario/Niagara Academy of Tennis) (SFU) 6-1, 6-0
3. Laura Husband (Dawson, Pa./Connellsville Area) (SFU) def. Shakaya Slay (SFC) 6-1, 6-1
4. Maya Ranchod (Ellwood City, Pa./Lincoln ) def. Renee Warner (SFC) 6-0, 6-3
5. Beza Dejene (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia/Lycee Franco-Ethiopien Guebre Mariam) (SFU) def. Angel Lawrence (SFC) 6-2, 7-6
6. Abigail Derby (SFU) def. Shimiere Douglas (SFC) 6-1, 7-6