MARIETTA, Ohio - Franciscan women's tennis won five of its six singles matches to pull out a 6-3 win on the road against nonconference opponent Marietta College.

The Lady Barons continued to struggle during doubles play as the team went down 2-1 going into singles play once again. No. 1 and no. 2 doubles only won four games between the two matches while the no. 3 duo of sophomores Maggie Vander Woude and Anna O'Connor won their match 8-0.

"They played fantastic together," head coach Jeremy Ellis said. "They won a quick doubles and the other two just struggled."

The ladies did not let the outcome of doubles play affect their singles matches as the Lady Barons won five out of six to propel them to the win. The lone loss belonged to freshman Maria Binette who lost 6-3, 6-0 to Carey Becker, Marietta's best player.

Freshman Julia Razook found herself playing no. 2 singles again due to the absence of senior Renata Crespo and played one of her best matches of the season, winning 6-1, 6-0.

"Julia's game is really starting to develop," Ellis said. "She hasn't picked up a racket since being a freshman in high school. I knew just by the fundamentals of her stroke that she's a tough player. It's just about getting that edge back and it's coming."

Sophomore Emily Mathias also played a particularly exciting match at no. 6 singles. Mathias won the first set easily and was on her way to winning the second set when an arm cramp allowed her opponent to get back in the match. Marietta sent the second set into a tiebreak but the sophomore was able to pull out the 6-1, 7-6(4) win.

"She fought really tough and played good tennis," Ellis said.

The team will have almost a full week to rest up before playing two conference matches next weekend. Ellis said that a competitive, nonconference match that was won has helped the girls feel more prepared for the coming weekend.  

"We are ready to play these conference matches," Ellis said. "I told the girls that every match is getting us ready for the conference. We still have to win these next two matches. I know the girls are ready. The more we play, the better they feel. We're ready to go."

For the team's next match, the Lady Barons will travel out to Pittsburgh to take on conference foe La Roche College on October 3 at 10 a.m.