WORCESTER, Mass. -- The Simmons University women's tennis team was defeated by host Clark University, 8-1, this afternoon in a dual match at Corash Tennis Courts in Worcester, Mass. The Sharks fall to 2-6 on the season, while the Cougars improve to 2-2.

Simmons picked up its loan point at number three doubles, where junior Carrie St. Peter (Chester, N.H.) combined with first year Laura Frampton (Cumberland, R.I.) to earn an 8-6 victory at number three doubles over the Clark duo of senior Chloe Dunnell (Montclair, N.J.) and first year Megan Balani (Braintree, Mass.). The outcome marked the first collegiate win for Frampton and gave St. Peter her team-leading third doubles triumph of the season.

The Sharks looked to get wins in the other two doubles matches, but the Cougars were able to hang on for 8-7 wins at both number one and two to take a 2-1 lead after doubles action. First year Eleanor Hodgkin (Manchester, Maine) teamed with senior Anna Gates (North Scituate, R.I.) for an 8-7 (4) win at first doubles over the Simmons sophomore pairing of Sarah Mariski (Portland, Maine) and Megan McKeever (Stamford, Conn.). Juniors Jillian Skulsky (Marshfield, Mass.) and Elizabeth Tchantouridze (Northfield, Vt.) combined for an 8-7 (5) win at number two over senior Nickie Nguyen (Ho Chi Minh, Vietman/St. Joseph Prep (Mass.)) and first year Mary Miller (Newton, N.H.) for the Sharks.

Skulsky defeated Mariski in straight sets, 6-2, 6-0, at second singles, before Balani earned a 6-1, 6-0 victory at fifth singles over Simmons first year Samantha Margolin (Ridgefield, Conn.) to give Clark a 4-1 lead in the match. Tchantouridze captured the deciding point for the Cougars with a 6-0, 7-5 victory over Miller at number four singles.

Nguyen battled at first singles for the Sharks, dominating the middle set, 6-0, against Hodgkin, but the Clark rookie matched her first set effort with a 6-3 win in the third frame to give the point to the home team. Gates was also a double-winner for the Cougars following a 6-1, 6-4 win at third singles over McKeever. Junior Zahara Shidad (Lewiston, Maine) finished the match for Clark with a hard-fought 7-5, 6-2 win over Simmons sophomore Kaili Shorey (Vassalboro, Maine) at number six singles.

The Sharks return to the court tomorrow when they host Great Northeast Athletic Conference rival Albertus Magnus College at 12:00 p.m. on Daly Courts, while the Cougars host College of the Holy Cross on September 24 at 4:00 p.m.