Feb. 27, 2006

Results

FAIRFIELD, CT (February 27, 2006) - The Sacred Heart men and women's tennis teams opened play for the 2006 spring season Saturday afternoon, splitting with Holy Cross. The women swept through the Crusaders, posting a 7-0 win while the men fell 4-3, both matches being played at the Middlebury Raquet Club.

The Pioneer women swept all three doubles matches starting with freshmen Laura Murillo (Pittsfield, MA) and Nicole Betz (Long Beach, NY) beating Carrie Simmons and Amy Garrity 8-2. Junior Pam Pillo (Shelton, CT) teamed with sophomore Jessica Schnell (Schenectady, NY) to beat Meg Moran and Meredith Bacon, 8-5 to clinch the point. Senior Lissa Von Brecht (Cumberland Foreside, ME) freshman Mandy Finklestein (Portland, CT)0 teamed to beat Katie Guarino and Ginienne Santoro at #3 doubles, 8-6.

Pillo won her #1 singles match with Simmons, 6-4, 6-3. She was followed by Murillo over Moran at #2, 6-4, 6-0 and Von Brecht over Garrity at #3, 6-4, 6-1. Betz beat Guarino at #4, 6-1 and 6-2, Schnell won 6-1, 6-3 over Bacon at #5 and Finkelstein posted a 6-3, 6-1 win over Melanie Bunke at #6 to complete the Pioneer sweep.

On the men's side, the Crusaders swept all three doubles matches to take the doubles point. SHU picked up singles wins at #1, #2 and #6. Sophomore Jared Dye (Bridgeport, CT) won 6-1, 6-3 over John Deaver at #1 singles. Fellow sophomore Joseph Merendino (Bronx, NY) posted a 6-3, 6-2 win over Marc Lombardo at #2.

Senior Kevin Teague (Yonkers, NY) won a hard fought battle with Colin Missett at #6, winning the first set 7-6 (6). He dropped the second set 6-4, but rallied in the super breaker for a 10-6 win. SHU's Chris McDonnell (Naugatuck, CT) was able to take the first set from Angelo Sica, 6-2, but was forced to retire in the second, tied 2-2, with a wrist injury.

Both Pioneer teams are now off to Orlando, Florida for their annual spring break trip. The men will be facing Grand Valley State, Mount St. Mary's, Robert Morris and St. Peter's while the women will face the same three to start the trip but close with James Madison.