NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- Senior Paola Rios (Miami, Fla.) was one of three double-winners on the afternoon for the Simmons University women's tennis team in a 7-1 victory over host Albertus Magnus College in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference dual match at Celentano Courts in New Haven, Conn. The Sharks improve to 4-8 overall, including 2-4 in league play, while the Falcons fall to 3-8 and 0-6.
Rios teamed with Simmons junior Nickie Nguyen (Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam/Saint Joseph Preparatory (Mass.)) to pull out a 9-8 (5) win at number one doubles over the Albertus Magnus tandem of senior Izzy Sabino (Cheshire, Conn.) and sophomore Jessica Coughlin (Durham, Conn.). Rios defeated Sabino at second singles in pro-set form, 8-4.
First years Sarah Mariski (Portland, Maine) and Megan McKeever (Stamford, Conn.) were also double-winners on the day for the Sharks. The duo combined for an 8-2 triumph at number two doubles over Falcons sophomore Lakhena Rath (Danbury, Conn.) and first year Nhi Trinh (East Haven, Conn.). Mariski made her debut at number three singles a good one, defeating junior Nallely Magana (East Haven, Conn.) to give Simmons the fifth and deciding point in a three-set effort that saw her take both the first and third frames by a score of 6-1, while dropping the second set, 6-2. McKeever picked up a straight set, 6-2, 6-1 win for Simmons at fourth singles over Rath.
The Sharks also registered wins at fifth and sixth singles. Sophomore Carrie St. Peter (Chester, N.H.) blanked Trinh in the opening set, 6-0, before taking the second frame, 6-3, for the victory at number five singles. First year Kaili Shorey (Vassalboro, Maine) earned her first collegiate singles win in her first career singles contest at the collegiate level. She cruised to a 6-1 win the first set, before outlasting sophomore Cassie Couture (Waterbury, Conn.) for a 7-5 margin in the second set for the win.
Albertus Magnus recorded its lone point for the match with a win at number three doubles. Magana and Couture shutout Shorey and Simmons first year Ally Cunningham (Augusta, Maine), 8-0.
The final match of the day was halted by darkness after Nguyen did not drop a game to Coughlin in the first set at number one singles for the Sharks, before Couglin answered with a 5-1 lead in the second set before the match was stopped.
Simmons returns to action on Saturday, October 13 when it hosts GNAC rival Suffolk University at Daly Courts for a 12:00 p.m. tilt, while the Falcons host University of Saint Joseph (Conn.) on the same day at 2:00 p.m.