WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. (April 7, 2013) – The Saint Francis U women's tennis team continued its winning roll this weekend by dropping Northeast Conference foes Mount St. Mary's (4-3) and Monmouth (7-0). The Red Flash women made history when they defeated each school for he first time in program history. SFU is now 9-7, the highest win total in team annals.

Against the Mountaineers on Friday, SFU easily secured the doubles point and closed out all three matches to secure the win. Danielle Gryckiewicz (Calgary, Alberta/Calgary Academy) and Camila Diaz (Carolina, Puerto Rico/Colegio La Piedad) had a slower start. Up 6-4 and on serve, Mount broke to 6-5 and then held edging the lead to 7-5. SFU shot back with a hold and break evening things out at 7-7. Diaz and Gryckiewicz quickly broke going up 2-0 in the tiebreaker. With both teams holding, SFU squeaked out the match 7-5.

“The women played absolutely great doubles,” said Flash coach Paul Tobin. “We had some issues with the wind and the sun, but the team was able to really dominate at the net. Very proud of them.”

It wasn't an easy road for singles play for the Red Flash. Saint Francis secured the necessary three points in the nos. 2, 4 and 6 positions. Shivani Patel (Leicestershire, England/Repton School) clinched the win for SFU over Mount's Renee Dean. Patel won the first set 6-4 but found herself down 4-3 after a break. Patel managed only one more game, giving Mount the second set. With the team match tied at 3-3, Patel was heading into a third set to determine the final win. It took Patel only 22 minutes to close out the set 6-0 and clinch the victory over Mount. 

“This was a very tight match and I thought we had opportunity in other positions to pick up more wins,” said Tobin. “But, the women got the overall win and that's all that matters. This is what we have been working so hard for.”

The next stop for the Red Flash was Monmouth on Saturday. Saint Francis had no problem securing all doubles and singles positions for a 7-0 win.

Alex Sachs (Parkland, Fla./Stoneman Douglas) and Patel took home their 11th doubles win against Monmouth, individually, the most doubles wins in one season for the Red Flash women.

Singles action saw little hope for Monmouth as the Frankies swept all positions. Patel, no. 2 for SFU was up 5-2 in the first against Monmouth's Brook Verdiglione only to give up three games to tie things up at 5-5. Both players held to 6-6 to go into a tiebreaker, but Patel slammed two service winners to take an early lead. It was downhill from there for Monmouth as Patel closed the set 7-6 and easily swept the second 6-3.

With her singles win over Dana Ferrari, Sachs marked her 13th singles win of the season, setting the new record at Saint Francis. Lucy Jasso (San Luis Potosi, Mexico/Instituto Potosino) is close behind with 10 singles wins after Saturday.

“This was a great way to finish our conference match weekend,” said Tobin. “It seemed to all come together for everyone and we pulled out some amazing historic stats. Very proud of what they accomplished.”