FULL RESULTS

FAIRFIELD, Conn. (Feb. 24, 2014) – The Saint Francis women's tennis team came out hot against Sacred Heart on Saturday but couldn't sustain that intensity falling, 5-2.

The Red Flash, which got out to a 1-0 lead by winning the doubles point, fell to 5-4 on the season and 1-1 in the Northeast Conference.  The Pioneers raised their record to 3-3 with a 1-0 mark in conference play.

"The ladies came out with a lot of energy and focus in doubles and played really well," said SFU coach Rob Castille. "But they all didn't bring that same attitude in singles. And against a conference opponent and a solid team like Sacred Heart, you just can't do that and expect to win. I hope they learn a valuable lesson from this match. Because I believe if we bring that same energy and attitude from start to finish, we can be a tough team to beat."

The Saint Francis No. 1 duo of Rafaela Panizza (Jundiai, Brazil/) and Taya Zoubareva (Lake Bluff, Ill./Lake Forest ) earned an 8-4 win to clinch the match's first point.  In the No. 2 spot, Alex Sachs (Parkland, Fla./Stoneman Douglas) and Brittini Jentz (Plano, Texas/Ursuline Academy of Dallas) got the ball rolling with an 8-5 decision.

In singles play, Alex Sachs (Parkland, Fla./Stoneman Douglas) furnished the lone bright spot for the Flash by posting a three-set win over Lindsey Post at the No. 3 position.

The Frankies have the next week off before returning to action against Robert Morris on March 14.




Sacred Heart (3-3) def. Saint Francis (5-4), 5-2

Doubles
1. Rafaela Panizza (Jundiai, Brazil/)/Taya Zoubareva (Lake Bluff, Ill./Lake Forest ) (SFU) def. Katie DeRienzo/Gabi Kaldan (SHU), 8-4
2. Alex Sachs (Parkland, Fla./Stoneman Douglas)/Brittini Jentz (Plano, Texas/Ursuline Academy of Dallas) (SFU) def. Lindsey Post/Paige Olson (SHU), 8-5
3. Nicole Rydzewski/Taylor Gurda (SHU) def. Lucy Jasso (San Luis Potosi, Mexico/Instituto Potosino)/Shivani Patel (Leicestershire, England/Repton School) (SFU), 8-5

Order of finish: 2, *1, 3
*Clinched the doubles point


Singles
1. Katie DeRienzo (SHU) def. Rafaela Panizza (Jundiai, Brazil/) (SFU), 6-3, 7-5
2. Gabi Kaldan (SHU) def. Shivani Patel (Leicestershire, England/Repton School) (SFU), 6-4, 6-0
3. Alex Sachs (Parkland, Fla./Stoneman Douglas) (SFU) def. Lindsey Post (SHU), 6-3, 3-6, 7-5
4. Paige Olson (SHU) def. Lucy Jasso (San Luis Potosi, Mexico/Instituto Potosino) (SFU), 6-1, 6-3
5. Nicole Rydzewski (SHU) def. Taya Zoubareva (Lake Bluff, Ill./Lake Forest ) (SFU), 6-3, 6-3
6. Taylor Gurda (SHU) def. Camila Diaz (Carolina, Puerto Rico/Colegio La Piedad) (SFU), 6-1, 6-1

Order of finish: 4, 2, 1, 3, *5, 6
*Clinched the match-winning 4th point