STEUBENVILLE, Ohio – Franciscan women's tennis got back to their winning ways with a 9-0 win on their home courts, sweeping conference opponent D'Youville College.

After a tough weekend in which the Lady Barons dropped two of their three conference matches, this win gives the team confidence with just three conference matches remaining in the season.

"It's easy to lose focus and not want to play and get distracted," head coach Jeremy Ellis said. "I think more it's practicing what you need to practice instead of being lackadaisical. Every match that we play, especially a match won, is going to help them mentally."

Doubles play, which has been a struggle for the Lady Barons almost all season, was dominant against D'Youville, with the Spartans winning only one game across all three doubles courts. 

"Like I've said from the beginning, our doubles is what's important," Ellis said. "We have to stay strong there in hopes to get ready for our conference tournament. Just getting wins gives them the confidence they need."

At no. 3 doubles, new partners sophomore Marisa Pinto and freshman Julia Razook played their second match together and won comfortably 8-1.

"It was only their second match playing together so building the chemistry they need to be able to win at three is huge," Ellis said. 

Ellis also said that he does not want to play around with the doubles lineup any more, meaning Razook and Pinto will be the ones to stay at no. 3 for now.  

The coach did switch around the singles lineup a little, however, giving junior Claire Haddad a rest. Sophomore Maggie Vander Woude and sophomore Anna O'Connor each played higher up in the lineup at no. 4 and no. 5, respectively, leaving freshman Taranee Karimpour to play at no. 6 against the Spartans.

The freshman was impressive despite not being a regular in the singles lineup and won her match 6-0, 6-2.

"Taranee just doesn't play in the lineup for singles much so it was good to see her out there and get a win," Ellis said.

The Lady Barons will have a fast turnaround as the team travels to Mount Aloysius to take on the Lady Mounties in a conference match on September 26 at 11 a.m.