MERION STATION, Pa. – The Saint Joseph's women's tennis team opened its 2026-27 season on Friday with the first day of play at the Villanova/Delaware Invitational.  Matches are being played across the area, with the Hawks competing on their home turf at the SJU Tennis Complex this weekend.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
• The Hawks took on singles and doubles opponents from both Cornell and NJIT on Friday afternoon.  In singles play, Valeria Casusol and Amari O'Brien took straight-sets victories over opponents from Cornell and NJIT, respectively.
 
• In doubles action, Casusol and O'Brien took a win over a pair from Cornell.  Jolie Kaiser teamed up with Victoria Tracey for a win over a duo from NJIT while Elena Fleming and June Tronhus collected a win over NJIT as well.
 
UP NEXT
Play continues on Saturday.
 
SAINT JOSEPH'S RESULTS
 
Singles
Valeria Casusol (SJU) def. Feyza Aydin (NJIT), 6-4, 7-6 (4)
Amari O'Brien (SJU) def. Lusia Hepcal Barcan (NJIT), 6-3, 6-2
Victoria Zhao (COR) def. Victoria Tracey (SJU), 6-3, 6-2
Athena Orzechowski (COR) def. Elena Fleming (SJU), 6-4, 6-0
Martha Thompson (COR) def. June Tronhus (SJU), 6-0, 6-1
Arina Denisenko (NJIT) def. Jolie Kaiser (SJU), 6-2, 5-7, 10-4 (STB)
Martina Marica (COR) def. Evelyn Mejia (SJU), 6-3, 6-7 (4), 10-5 (STB)
 
Doubles
Kaiser / Tracey (SJU) def. Ashika Pinninti / Vanya Virmani (NJIT), 8-4
Fleming / Tronhus (SJU) def. Denisenko / Tetiana Zhytelna (NJIT), 6-4
Casusol / O'Brien (SJU) def. Marica / Ryndin (COR), 7-5
Dylan Gelber / Marica (COR) def. Fleming / Tronhus (SJU), 8-3
Andrea Martinez De Los Rios / Orzechowski (COR) def. Casusol / O'Brien (SJU), 8-2
Chloe Fouhety / Zhao (COR) def. Kaiser / Tracey (SJU), 6-0