HARTFORD, Conn. – Seniors Nickie Nguyen (Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam/Saint Joseph Preparatory (Mass.)) and Marissa Johnson (Norton, Mass.) were both double-winners on Senior Day to lead the Simmons University women's tennis team to a 7-2 victory over University of Saint Joseph (Conn.) this afternoon in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference match played at Hall High School in Hartford, Conn. The venue was moved from the Sharks home Daly Courts in Brighton, Mass. due to weather concerns. Simmons improves to 7-7 overall, including 4-3 in league play, while the Blue Jays fall to 5-8 and 2-5. 

The victory ensures the number four seed for the Sharks in the upcoming GNAC Championship Tournament, setting a First Round match with fifth-seeded Colby-Sawyer College on Wednesday, October 16 on Daly Courts and 2:00 p.m., while sixth-seeded Saint Joseph travels to number three seed Regis College (Mass.) on the same day for a 3:00 p.m. match. 

Nguyen and Johnson combined for an easy 8-0 win at number one doubles over the Blue Jays combination of sophomore Jessica McAllister (Bristol, Conn.) and first year Elaina Griffiths (Guilford, Conn.). Nguyen claimed a 7-5, 6-2 win over McAllister at first singles, while Johnson did her part at number two singles with a 7-5, 6-1 triumph over Domonique Carnot (Meriden, Conn.). 

Simmons swept doubles play to take a 3-0 lead in the dual match. 

First year Leah Bonis (Bath, Maine) paired with Carrie St. Peter (Chester, N.H.) at number three singles to earn an 8-3 decision over Carnot and first year Emily Kerr (Portland, Conn.). Bonis joined her senior teammates as a double-winner, posting a 6-1, 6-4 victory at number three singles over Kerr to give the Sharks the fifth and deciding point of the match. 

The Simmons sophomore pairing of Sarah Mariski (Portland, Maine) and Megan McKeever (Stamford, Conn.) resulted in an 8-5 win at second doubles over the Blue Jays tandem of sophomore Carolyn Callahan (Southington, Conn.) and first year Marie Emerson (Killingworth, Conn.). 

First year Libby Weed (Brooksville, Maine) picked up the fourth win in singles play for the Sharks, turning in a 6-1, 6-3 straight set victory over first year Elke Moser Melis (Nijmegen, Netherlands) at sixth singles. 

Saint Joseph picked up points at fourth and fifth singles. Griffiths downed Mariski, 6-4, 7-5, at fourth singles, while Callahan battled to a three-set win over McKeever, winning the opening set, 7-5 at number five singles, before McKeever dominated the middle frame, 6-1. Callahan regrouped and won the third set in pro-set format, 10-6.