The #11 ranked women's tennis team defeated Ave Maria 9-0 on Thursday afternoon in their Sun Conference opener.

The Seahawks jumped out to an early 1-0 lead as #3 doubles Samantha Guy and Livia Toth rolled to an 8–0 win. Laura Ortega and Ana Pinto wouldn't waste much time either winning 8-2 at #2 doubles pushing the lead to 2-0.

Then some excitement hit as Teodora Stanciu and Lola Garcia the #13 pair in the NAIA faced off at #1 against the #8 team in an ITA Southeast region final rematch from last fall. The Gyrenes won that match 6-4, 6-4, but today Stanciu and Garcia got revenge by saving three match points, winning in a tiebreaker 9-8(8).

Toth was victorious at #6 singles 6-0, 6–0, and then Guy sealed the match with a 6-0, 6-4 win at #3 making it 5-0. Stanciu and Garcia at #4 and #5 won with identical 6-0, 6-0 scores to extend the lead out to 7-0.

Pinto had a few hiccups in the second set but prevailed 6-0, 6-4 stretching the lead to 8-0 and Ortega would get through her match at #1 winning 6-4, 6-3 to seal things up on the day and the ladies 9-0 victory.

Head Coach Daniel Finn said, "It's always good to win your conference opener, especially when it's on the road. I was partially happy to see #1 doubles play so clutch when they had to and that was a great win for them. Now we have to get ready for a few more strong tests coming up next week." 

Singles competition
1. Laura Ortega (KUWTN16) def. Marianna Vargas (AMUWTN) 6-4, 6-3
2. Ana Pinto (KUWTN16) def. Mary Kate Lee (AMUWTN) 6-0, 6-4
3. Samantha Guy (KUWTN16) def. Camila Branstner (AMUWTN) 6-0, 6-4
4. Teodora Stanciu (KUWTN16) def. Caitlin Constance (AMUWTN) 6-0, 6-0
5. Lola Garcia (KUWTN16) def. Alexandra Lis-Planel (AMUWTN) 6-1, 6-0
6. Livia Toth (KUWTN16) def. Mary Hardin (AMUWTN) 6-0, 6-0
 
Doubles competition
1. #13 Teodora Stanciu/Lola Garcia (KUWTN16) def. #8 Marianna Vargas/Mary Kate Lee (AMUWTN) 9-8
2. Laura Ortega/Ana Pinto (KUWTN16) def. Camila Branstner/Caitlin Constance (AMUWTN) 8-2
3. Samantha Guy/Livia Toth (KUWTN16) def. Alexandra Lis-Planel/Mary Hardin (AMUWTN) 8-0
 
Match Notes:
Keiser University 6-5; National ranking #11
Ave Maria 3-8
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (6,3,5,4,1,2)
T-2:50 A-21