AMBLER, Pa. – The Saint Joseph's women's tennis team opened up its 2021 campaign on Saturday night, defeating Coppin State, 6-1, at the Upper Dublin Sports Center.

HOW IT HAPPENED
• The Hawks opened up the early lead by claiming the doubles point.  Sophomores Ireland Amato and Anna Kirk cruised to a 6-2 win in the first flight before senior Iswarya Vel and sophomore Stow Weiss secured the point via a walkover victory.

• In singles play, senior Amanda Nava got SJU off to a roaring start in flight number one, defeating Shariah Dunwell at love to double the Hawks' lead.  Freshman Fabiana Tort-Umpierre then put the Hawks on the brink of victory in her first appearance in Crimson and Gray with a win in the third flight.

• Junior Paige Conrad clinched the victory with a straight-sets win in the fifth flight before sophomore Sophia Amato finished off the match with a win of her own in the fourth.

HAWK TALK
"A very successful start to our season for both teams," head coach Ian Crookenden said after the men's squad opened with a victory of its own as well.  "Getting over nerves after such a long gap between now and our last competition was the main objective and both teams delivered.  It was an especially good display of our depth as the men triumphed without two players available and the women's team utilized nine different players in gaining their victory.  Still things to work on, but overall a great competitive effort from all."

UP NEXT
The Hawks will host Chestnut Hill next Saturday night at Upper Dublin Sports Center.

RESULTS

Saint Joseph's 6, Coppin State 1

Doubles
1. Ireland Amato / Anna Kirk (SJU) def. Iva Jankovic / Christy Turner (CSU), 6-2
2. Shariah Dunwell / Afruica Gentle (CSU) def. Madeline Hill / Alex Kramer (SJU), 6-2
3. Iswarya Vel / Stow Weiss (SJU) won via walkover

Singles
1. Amanda Nava (SJU) def. Dunwell (CSU), 6-0, 6-0
2. Jankovic (CSU) def. Weiss (SJU), 6-3, 6-1
3. Fabiana Tort-Umpierre (SJU) def. Gentle (CSU), 7-6 (4), 2-0, ret.
4. Sophia Amato (SJU) def. Turner (CSU), 6-2, 6-1
5. Paige Conrad (SJU) def. Mackenzie Jones (CSU), 6-0, 6-1
6. Vel (SJU) won via walkover

Game Scores
Singles: Saint Joseph's 49, Coppin State 22
Doubles: Saint Joseph's 8, Coppin State 8
Total: Saint Joseph's 57, Coppin State 30