SPARKILL, NY – The Lady Spartans tennis squad opened their season on a high note, as they defeated University of the Sciences 8-1 in non-conference action.  A beautiful summer afternoon was truly all sunshine and rainbows for the Spartans, as they started off the match with a 3-0 doubles sweep. 

Bianca Signore ’17 (Staten Island, NY) and Sara O’Brien ’18 (Orangeburg, NY) saw the toughest competition at first doubles, but ultimately did enough to secure the point at 9-7.  Nyenyeri Kanefu ’18 (Rutherford, NJ) and Katarina Lopez ’20 (New City, NY) paired at second doubles to win 8-1, while an identical score went to third doubles teammates Raven DeLeon ’17 (Brooklyn, NY) and Shannon Biehle ’18 (Tompkins Cove, NY).

Not quite overlooking their opponents, the Lady Spartans saw the Lady Devils battle back in singles action, forcing a third set super tie break in three matches.  Kanefu won at second singles 6-4, 0-6, 1-0 (5) and O’Briend won at the third spot 3-6, 6-4, 1-0 (9).  Lopez and DeLeon took care of business at fourth and fifth singles, respectively, while junior Carolyn Kopf ’18 (Garnerville, NY) harnessed her inner feistiness to round out the scoring at sixth singles, taking her match 4-6, 6-2, 1-0 (6).  

The Spartans open East Coast Conference play on the road at NYIT on Friday, September 9 with first serve set 3:00 PM.  They then return to Long Island the following day for their second conference showdown at LIU Post at 11:00 AM.

St. Thomas Aquinas 8, University of the Sciences 1

Doubles

1. Signore/O’Brien (STAC) def. Miletic/Gamernik (USP) - 9-7
2. Kanefu/Lopez (STAC) def. Linder/James (USP) - 8-1
3. DeLeon/Biehle (STAC) def. Serrano/Soriano (USP) - 8-1

Singles

1. Karla Miletic (USP) def. Bianca Signore (STAC) – 6-0, 6-1
2. Nyenyeri Kanefu (STAC) def. Elkanah Linder (USP) – 6-4, 0-6, 1-0 (5)
3. Sara O’Brien (STAC) def. Abby Gamarnik (USP) – 3-6, 6-4, 1-0 (9)
4. Katarina Lopez (STAC) def. Julia James (USP) – 6-2, 6-0
5. Raven DeLeon (STAC) def. Gabbie Soriano (USP) – 6-1, 6-2
6. Carolyn Kopf (STAC) def. Jillyan Serrano (USP) – 4-6, 6-2, 1-0 (6)

Order of Finish:  (Doubles – 3, 2, 1;  Singles – 4, 1, 3, 2, 5, 6)