TEANECK, N.J. (March 25, 2013) – The Saint Francis U women's tennis team ran its winning streak to four matches with a 7-0 win against La Salle in Philadelphia on Saturday before running into a roadblock at Fairleigh Dickinson on Sunday.  The defending Northeast Conference Champion Knights downed the Red Flash, 6-1.

Playing in cold and windy conditions, The Red Flash women had no problem securing the win in all singles and doubles position against the Explorers.

SFU secured the doubles point in all positions. Alex Sachs (Parkland, Fla./Stoneman Douglas) and Rafaela Panizza (Jundiai, Brazil/), no. 1 for Red Flash, started off slow against La Salle's Celesta Smith and Caitlin Coelho. Down 3-1 and on serve, Panizza held to 3-2. Down 40-15, Saint Francis came back to break and tied things up at 3-3. Each team held until 6-6 when Sachs ripped two return winners to break. Up 7-6, Panizza easily held closing out the match.

“Great job securing the doubles point,” said head coach Paul Tobin. “In these conditions, it's tough to play clean doubles and we have to close out points sooner than our opponent at the net.”

SFU continued its run in singles securing all six points.

Panizza, no. 1 for SFU, struggled at first against Smith losing the first set 7-6. Panizza had difficulty adjusting to windy conditions and found herself being controlled at the baseline. Panizza stepped up her game and quickly dominated the second set 6-2. The momentum kept going as Panizza closed out the third 10-6.

“We practiced the day before in these windy and cold conditions,” said Tobin. “This really helped in getting the players prepared, they knew what to expect. I am very proud of the record and four-match winning streak.”

On Sunday, the Knights jumped out quickly in doubles sweeping all positions. FDU came off a doubles win against Harvard the day before and were on a roll with SFU. Red Flash women had difficulty controlling the net and holding serve.

“I thought we would have competed better but FDU came out with confidence after yesterday's doubles win at Harvard,” said Tobin. “We looked liked we struggled from the first point.”

Singles action drew tighter scores from the nos. 3 and 4 position.

Red Flash Alex Sachs (Parkland, Fla./Stoneman Douglas) picked up the only point for SFU.  Losing the first set to Knights' Dina Guzairova easily 6-1 and down 4-0 in the second set, Sachs fought back to 6-5 taking two breaks and holding serve. Tied at 6-6, Sachs hits a return winner at 40-30 to take the set. In the third set tiebreaker, Sachs found herself down again 4-1 but broke back to lead 8-6 after winning 6 points straight. Serving for the match, Sachs put a slice wide forcing the return error.

“This is one of the best comeback wins in the history of our program,” said Tobin. “I am very proud of Alex and what she did out there mentally.”

Lucy Jasso (San Luis Potosi, Mexico/Instituto Potosino), at no. 3 for the Frankies had a similar outcome, but this time in the Knights favor.

Losing the first set 6-4 to FDU Celine Maier, Jasso was up 5-4 and on serve. Jasso got broken after being up 40-30. Maier was able to hold to close out the set. Jasso came out dominating in the second set with a quick 3-0 lead. Maier was unable to gain ground and fell 6-2. Going into a third set tiebreaker, Jasso was in control leading 4-1 but blew six points to give Maier a 7-4 lead. Both players went back and forth but Maier prevailed 10-7.

“I was really hoping Lucy would have pulled out the win,” said Tobin. “Alex had an amazing upset and Lucy's upset win would have giving us two points.  That would have been a nice score against the top team.  All in all, it was a good weekend.”