WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. – The Saint Francis women's tennis team dropped a 6-1 decision on Friday night at Niagara.  The Red Flash won one match each in singles and doubles, but Niagara won the doubles point and five of six singles matches.  SFU is 0-3, but will look to bounce back on Saturday against Buffalo at 1 p.m.
 
At the top doubles spot, senior Rafaela Panizza (Jundiai, Brazil) and junior Brittany Plaszewski (St. Charles, Ill./St. Charles North) matched up against Sharlee Deshmukh and Stella Peisakhova.  The Red Flash duo had an impressive performance in a 6-0 victory.
 
Senior Dani Gryckiewicz (Calgary, Alberta/Calgary Academy) and freshman Stephanie Miller (Washington, D.C./St. John's College High School) competed at the No. 2 doubles position against Niagara's Haley Hollins and Sydnee Wheeler.  However, the Saint Francis pair fell 6-2 in the set.
 
The Purple Eagles won the match at No. 3 by default due to no SFU players available.
 
Plaszewski moved up to No. 2 in the singles lineup this week and took on Niagara's Hollins.  In a tough first set, the junior battled for a 7-6 set, including a 7-5 tiebreaker.  Plaszewski followed that with a 6-4 win in the second set to complete the straight-set win.  She is now 2-1 this spring.
 
At No. 1 singles, Panizza competed against the Purple Eagles' Peisakhova.  After dropping the first set, 6-4, Panizza responded with a 6-4 set win of her own.  However, in the deciding set, Peisakhova won a tight set, 10-7.
 
Gryckiewicz faced Niagara's Wheeler at the third singles position.  However, Gryckiewicz fell 6-3, 6-4.  At No. 4, Miller competed against Wong.  After dropping the first set, 6-4, Miller battled in a tight second set, but fell 7-6(3).
 
Niagara won the points at No. 5 and 6 due to no SFU players available.
 
"I'm proud of the way the girls fought today," said Head Coach Rob Castille. "We faced a lot of adversity with one girl out because of illness and another couldn't travel because of school, so we only had four girls today. But I was pleased with how we competed in singles. I think having some of the girls play higher up in the lineup will pay off down the road as they are competing against some very strong players. We still need to improve our doubles, so this will be a main focus after this weekend."
 
Doubles:
1. Panizza/Plaszewski(SFU) def. Deshmukh/Peisakhova(NU), 6-0.
2. Hollins/Wheeler(NU) def. Gryckiewicz/Miller(SFU), 6-2.
3. NU wins by default. (SFU no player).
Order of Finish: 3,1,2
 
Singles:
1. Peisakhova(NU) def. Panizza(SFU), 6-4, 4-6, (10-7).
2. Plaszewski(SFU) def. Hollins(NU), 7-6(5), 6-4.
3. Wheeler(NU) def. Gryckiewicz(SFU), 6-3, 6-4.
4. Wong(NU) def. Miller(SFU), 6-4, 7-6(3).
5. NU wins by default. (SFU no player).
6. NU wins by default. (SFU no player).
Order of Finish: 5,6,2,3,1,4