BOSTON, Mass. -- The Simmons University women's tennis team was defeated by visiting Eastern Nazarene College, 9-0, this afternoon in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference match at Daly Courts in Brighton, Mass. The Sharks fall to 1-5 overall, including 0-1 in league play, while the Lions improve to a perfect 4-0 and 2-0.
The bottom of the Simmons singles lineup were able to win six games apiece at fifth and sixth singles, respectively. Sophomore Carrie St. Peter (Chester, N.H.) was defeated at number five by Eastern Nazarene graduate student Jacquelin Arretche (Los Banos, Calif.), 6-4, 6-2. First year Sabrina Brown (Mason, N.H.) fell by the same count to Lions senior Annelise Sherrill (Elk Grove, Calif.) at sixth singles.
Sophomore Emily Ruttkowski (Castrop-Rauxel, Germany) was one of four players to earn a pair of wins on the day for Eastern Nazarene. Ruttkowski earned wins at number one doubles and at second singles for Eastern Nazarene. The sophomore paired with senior Adele Duval (Reading, Calif.) at the top of the doubles lineup to take down the Simmons junior pairing of Nickie Nguyen (Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam/St. Joseph Prep. (Mass.)) and Marissa Johnson (Norwell, Mass.), 8-2. Ruttkowski downed Johnson at second singles, dropping just two games in a 6-0, 6-2 decision to clinch the dual match for the visitors with their fifth point of the contest. Duval also picked up a second victory in singles action with a 6-0, 6-3 effort at number three singles over Sharks senior Paola Rios (Miami, Fla.).
Junior Veronica Jimenez (Lynn, Mass.) and Arretche each tallied a pair of triumphs for the Lions as well. Arretche teamed with first year Karla Polanco (Revere, Mass.) for an 8-2 win at second doubles, before picking up the win at number five singles. Jimenez combined with senior Alecia Tubbs (Rochester, N.Y.) for an 8-3 victory at number three doubles over the Sharks first year duo of Sarah Mariski (Portland, Maine) and Megan McKeever (Stamford, Conn.). Jimenez continued her winning ways at fourth singles with a 6-2, 6-0 win over Sharks senior Michelle Medici (South Portland, Maine).
Eastern Nazarene sophomore Sharon Biondi (Barquisimeto, Venezuela) dropped just one game in a 6-0, 6-1 win at first singles over Nguyen.
The Sharks return to action tomorrow when they host GNAC foe Regis (Mass.) at Daly Courts for a Noon start, while Eastern Nazarene travels to take on GNAC opponent Suffolk University at 3:00 p.m.