MERION STATION, Pa. – The Saint Joseph's women's tennis team put up a strong performance on Friday, but ultimately fell to Duquesne, 5-2, at the SJU Tennis Complex.

HOW IT HAPPENED
• Duquesne took the early lead by virtue of a pair of doubles wins.  Amanda Nava and Stow Weiss were first-flight winners for the Hawks, while Paige Conrad and Alex Kramer battled in the third before ultimately going down in a tiebreak.

• The Hawks got singles victories out of Nava in the first flight and Emily Elliott in the third, but the visiting Dukes secured the match victory with four singles wins.

HAWK TALK
"We're getting closer all the time," head coach Ian Crookenden said.  "Today was another close doubles point, with a gallant effort from Alex and Paige at number three who, with the doubles point on the line, played some great tennis before falling.  Excellent play by Amanda and Emily in singles put us on the board.  We have another tough one tomorrow morning, but one of these matches will turn our way."

UP NEXT
The Hawks will host George Mason on Saturday.

RESULTS

Duquesne 5, Saint Joseph's 2

Doubles
1. Amanda Nava / Stow Weiss (SJU) def. Daniela Latoni / Margot Pessy (DUQ), 6-2
2. Meredith Lee / Priyanka Mitta (DUQ) def. Emily Elliott / Anna Kirk (SJU), 6-1
3. Ellen Shanahan / Ana Utrilla Benito (DUQ) def. Paige Conrad / Alex Kramer (SJU), 7-6 (8)

Singles
1. Nava (SJU) def. Pessy (DUQ), 6-2, 3-0, retired
2. Shanahan (DUQ) def. Weiss (SJU), 6-1, 6-1
3. Elliott (SJU) def. Utrilla Benito (DUQ), 6-2, 3-6, 10-4 (STB)
4. Latoni (DUQ) def. Sophia Amato (SJU), 6-2, 6-2
5. Natasha Novak (DUQ) def. Fabiana Tort-Umpierre (SJU), 6-2, 6-3
6. Lee (DUQ) def. Ireland Amato (SJU), 3-6, 6-3, 10-4 (STB)

Game Scores
Singles: Duquesne 56, Saint Joseph's 39
Doubles: Duquesne 15, Saint Joseph's 13
Total: Duquesne 71, Saint Joseph's 52