Women's Tennis Drops Close Match To Saint Francis (Pa.), 4-3

MONROEVILLE, Pa. - The Saint Joseph's women's tennis team battled back from an early deficit, but couldn't complete the comeback as Saint Francis (Pa.) held off the Hawks, 4-3, Monday afternoon at The Club Sport and Health.

The Hawks (2-3) fell behind early as the Red Flash picked up the first point of the match with wins at all three doubles flights.

Saint Francis (Pa.) opened a 2-0 lead with a win at No. 6 singles, but SJU's Claire Minnoe earned a gutsy 3-6, 6-0, 6-4 come-from-behind win over Rafaela Panizza at the top flight to bring SJU within a point, 2-1.

Senior Arianne Polatnick helped tie the match at 2-2 as she followed Minnoe's win with a 6-3, 7-6 (3) victory of her own against Brittini Jentz at the fourth flight.

Unfortunately for the Hawks, Saint Francis (Pa.) was able to pick up wins at the second and third flights to earn the team win.

Alex Zachem finished the match strong for SJU though with a 7-6 (4), 6-2 win over Stephanie Miller at the fifth flight to earn a split of the singles matches for the Hawks.

"The loss of the doubles point was too much for our Hawks to overcome against a very talented Saint Francis squad," said head coach Ian Crookenden. "Special recognition to Claire Minnoe for gutting out the win at No. 1 and another steady performance by senior Arianne Polatnick playing at No. 4 singles today. Alex Zachem played well to gain the last point and split the singles competition."

Saint Joseph's returns to action on Tuesday at St. Bonaventure.

Doubles
1. Rafaela Panizza/Brittany Plaszewski (SFU) def. Claire Minnoe/Alex Zachem (SJU), 7-6(5)
2. Raksha Bode/Dani Gryckiewicz (SFU) def. Sarah Contrata/Kristina Eisenbrand (SJU), 6-1
3. Brittini Jentz/Stephanie Miller (SFU) def. Maureen Devlin/Anne Marie Devlin (SJU), 6-2
Order of Finish: 2, 3, 1

Singles
1. Claire Minnoe (SJU) def. Rafaela Panizza (SFU), 3-6, 6-0, 6-4
2. Brittany Plaszewski (SFU) def. Maureen Devlin (SJU), 7-5, 6-1
3. Raksha Bode (SFU) def. Kristina Eisenbrand (SJU), 6-2, 6-3
4. Arianne Polatnick (SJU) def. Brittini Jentz (SFU), 6-3, 7-6 (3)
5. Alex Zachem (SJU) def. Stephanie Miller (SFU), 7-6, 6-2
6. Dani Gryckiewicz (SFU) def. Anne Marie Devlin (SJU), 6-4, 7-5
Order of Finish: 6, 1, 4, 2, 3, 5