TEANECK, N.J. (March 27, 2015) - On a damp Friday afternoon, the Saint Francis U women's tennis team picked up a victory over Fairleigh Dickinson, 4-3, in its first Northeast Conference match of the season.

"This was a great conference win for the women. They battled hard and competed so well. We knew we had to because Fairleigh Dickinson is such a talented team," said SFU head coach Rob Castille.

Rafaela Panizza (Jundiai, Brazil) earned a win for the Red Flash at No. 1 singles by defeating FDU's Nicole Chis. Lucy Jasso (San Luis Potosi, Mexico/Instituto Potosino) won at No. 5 singles and Dani Gryckiewicz (Calgary, Alberta/Calgary Academy) won by default at No. 6 singles. Panizza's win clinched the match for Saint Francis.

The tandem of Alex Sachs (Parkland, Fla./Stoneman Douglas) and Grykiewicz posted a win at No. 2 doubles, and SFU earned the second doubles point by default at No. 3.

"Playing outside, I was a little concerned with how'd they play since we haven't had a chance to compete outdoors this spring. However, the women handled things very well.
There are still some things we need to improve upon, but we'll address them this week in practice and be ready for Dayton and Mount St. Mary's, two very strong teams," Castille added.

The Red Flash is back in action next weekend for home matches in Monroeville. SFU takes on Mount St. Mary's on Thursday at 1 p.m. and Dayton on Friday at Noon.

Saint Francis U (4-8) def. Fairleigh Dickinson (1-10), 4-3

Doubles
1. Mariya Krachok/Gisela Castany (FDU) def. Rafaela Panizza (Jundiai, Brazil)/Shivani Patel (Leicestershire, England/Repton School) (SFU), 7-5
2. Alex Sachs (Parkland, Fla./Stoneman Douglas)/Dani Gryckiewicz (Calgary, Alberta/Calgary Academy) (SFU) def. Nicole Chis/Shreya Pasricha (FDU), 7-6 (7-5)
3. Brittini Jentz (Plano, Texas/Ursuline Academy of Dallas)/Lucy Jasso (San Luis Potosi, Mexico/Instituto Potosino) (SFU) def. FDU by default

Order of finish: 1, 2

Singles
1. Rafaela Panizza (Jundiai, Brazil) (SFU) def. Nicole Chis (FDU), 6-2, 2-6, 1-0 (10-7)
2. Shreya Pasricha (FDU) def. Shivani Patel (Leicestershire, England/Repton School) (SFU), 6-4, 6-3
3. Gisela (FDU) def. Alex Sachs (Parkland, Fla./Stoneman Douglas), 6-3, 3-6, 1-0 (10-7)
4. Mariya Krachok (FDU) def. Brittini Jentz (Plano, Texas/Ursuline Academy of Dallas) (SFU), 6-1, 7-6 (6-2)
5. Lucy Jasso (San Luis Potosi, Mexico/Instituto Potosino) (SFU) def. Alex Bryant (FDU), 6-3, 6-1
6. Dani Gryckiewicz (Calgary, Alberta/Calgary Academy) (SFU) def. FDU by default

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