NORTON, Mass. - Sophomore Laura Plaza (Mexico City, Mexico/The Woodlands HS (Texas)) earned a victory in singles action to lead the Simmons College women's tennis team in an 8-1 loss to host Wheaton College this afternoon in Norton, Mass. The Sharks fall to 7-8 on the season, while the Lyons improve to 8-8.

Plaza won in straight sets at number six singles, scoring a 6-4, 7-5 win over sophomore Olivia Donovan (Exeter, N.H.). She teamed with sophomore Michelle Medici (South Portland, Maine) to take on Wheaton's pair of Donovan and senior Michelle Trainor (Amesbury, Mass.), but were downed, 8-2, to give the Lyons a sweep of doubles action.

First year Nickie Nguyen (Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam / Saint Joseph Preparatory (Mass.)) was defeated at number one singles by sophomore Ines de Bracamonte (Sunny Isles Beach, Fla.), 6-0, 6-1, while Wheaton first year Isabelle Garvanne (Los Angeles, Calif.) posted an identical score to triumph over Simmons first year Marissa Johnson (Norwell, Mass.) at second singles. Medici won five games at third singles for the Sharks, but was beaten, 6-4, 6-1 by sophomore Connor O'Keefe (Lutz, Fla.). Junior Olivia Lakes (Dorchester, Mass.) was overcome at fourth singles by first year Harley Swainston (Hudsonville, Mich.), 6-1, 6-2, while sophomore Paola Rios (Miami, Fla.) was defeated at number five singles, 6-1, 6-0, by Trainor.

de Bracamonte and Garvanne combined for an 8-2 victory at number one doubles over Nguyen and Johnson and the Wheaton duo of O'Keefe and Swainston earned an 8-1 win at number two doubles over Lakes and Rios.

The Sharks will be in action again on Saturday, April 15 when they host Bentley University for a 12:00 p.m. match at the Daly Athletic Complex, while the Lyons travel to Lewiston, Maine to play Bates College on April 21 at 4:00 p.m.