BOX SCORE
When and Where: September 16, 2017 – Manchester, N.H. (SNHU Tennis Courts)
Score: Southern New Hampshire University 8, Merrimack College 1
Records: SNHU 3-0 (3-0 NE10), Merrimack 2-1 (2-1 NE10)
Four different members of the Southern New Hampshire University women's tennis team pulled out three-set singles victories on a hot and humid Saturday afternoon at the SNHU Tennis Courts, as the Penmen posted an 8-1 victory against Merrimack College.
Southern New Hampshire took an early 2-0 lead as juniors Sofia Morais (Porto, Portugal) and Anna Sala (Matadepera, Spain) defeated Mana Seifaei and Lauren Persson, 8-1, at No. 1 doubles and junior Kaitlyn Poje (E. Stroudsburg, Pa.) and freshman Casey Burns (Westbrook, Conn.) took down Mackenzie Blair and Danielle Dunn, 8-3, at No. 2. Senior Lindsay Baum (No. Salem, N.Y.) and Rachel Wagner (Framingham, Mass.) stumbled, 8-5, at No. 3 doubles against Cassie Restrepo and Mia Briggs, as the Warriors halved their deficit going into singles play.
Burns started things off with a 6-0, 6-3 win against Restrepo at No. 4 singles, but from there, it was not quite as easy for the Penmen. Poje dropped the first set at No. 3 singles to Dunn before roaring back for a 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 victory to make it 4-1. Sala then clinched the match, toppling Persson, 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 at No. 2 singles.
SNHU, despite the grueling heat, did not stop there, as Morais dug herself out of an early hole at the No. 1 spot to earn a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 win against Seifaei. Wagner then closed out her marathon at No. 5, also rallying from behind for a 2-6, 6-1, 10-6 triumph versus Briggs. Baum finished off the five-hour-long match by cruising to a 6-2, 6-2 win at No. 6 singles against Abbie Sartori.
Notes:
- The Penmen begin the season 3-0 for the first time since 2013-14.
- Baum and Wagner lose for just the eighth time in 35 career matches together as a doubles tandem.
Up Next:
The Penmen return to action Sunday, Sept. 17 (1 p.m.) when they play host to Franklin Pierce University at the SNHU Tennis Courts.
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