BOCA RATON, Fla.- Lynn University's women's tennis team defeated St. Thomas, 9-0, in the season opener on Monday night. The Fighting Knights, picked sixth in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association preseason poll, was led by Valentine Confalonieir and Ioana Ivan who defeated Gabriella Bongiovanni and Tetiana Kovalska in the number one doubles spot. No. 1 Confalonieri later beat Kovalska, 6-3, 6-4, in singles action.
Lynn took a 3-0 lead after doubles play when Andrea Berkova nad Rosalie Willig took down St. Thomas' Monica Rekkedal and Briggitte Bustamante, 8-0. Alina Jane and Kim Przeszlowski won their doubles match versus Lauren Lightfoot and Ashley Ahern, 8-2, before Confalonieri and Ivan won, 8-2.
Ivan, who ranks 11th in the nation, put Lynn ahead 4-0 with a 6-2, 6-1, win over Rekkedal. Rosalie Willig was ahead, 6-4, 2-1, when Bongiovanni retired clinching the Fighting Knights first win of the season. Przeszlowski won, 6-0, 6-1, over Bustamante followed by Jane's 9-7 win over Ahern. Newcomer Monika Miljkovic won her debut for the Blue & White at the number six spot.
This marks the third-straight year that Lynn has opened the season with a 9-0 win over St. Thomas and the team's 22nd consecutive season opening win. Lynn will travel to No. 22 Tampa on Saturday for an 11 am match against the Spartans.
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