Sept. 13, 2008

Senior Sarah Mayer topped Kasey Michels 6-2 and 6-1 at top singles and received plenty of backup support from several new teammates as the Saints knocked off Hartford 7-0 in Connecticut in their season opener Saturday.

Freshman Jasleen Sandhu won her first collegiate match 6-1 and 6-3 over Kara Pease at #2 singles and classmate Danielle Crill was also triumphant in her debut at #3 singles, posting a 6-1 and 6-2 decision over Maggie Sabatino. Nicole Ross joined her Shaker high school teammate Sandhu with a victory in her first collegiate match, 6-1 and 6-1 at #6 singles.

"It was nice to see all of the freshman get their first win against a much improved University of Hartford team," head coach Tim O'Brien said. "The two best matches of the day were Lauren (Moy) hanging tough after giving up a 5-2 lead in the second set, and Danielle playing tough from the first ball to the last" Nicole, Jes (Asselin), Lauren and Danielle were victorious in both singles and doubles."

The Saints take on Holy Cross in their home opener Sunday at 11 a.m.

Doubles
1. Kasey Michels/Maggie Sabatino (Hartford) def. Sarah Mayer/Jasleen Sandhu 8-5
2. Danielle Crill/Lauren Moy (Siena) def. Kara Pease/Nikki Haynal 8-2
3. Jes Asselin/Nicole Ross (Siena) def. Katie Greenberg/Jess Ruggles 8-2

Singles
1. Sarah Mayer (Siena) def. Kasey Michels 6-2, 6-1
2. Jasleen Sandhu (Siena) def. Kara Pease 6-1, 6-3
3. Danielle Crill (Siena) def. Maggie Sabatino 6-1, 6-2
4. Lauren Moy (Siena) def. Nikki Haynal 6-1, 7-6 (7-5)
5. Jes Asselin (Siena) def. Katie Greenberg 6-1, 6-2
6. Nicole Ross (Siena) def. Jess Ruggles 6-1, 6-1