GROVE CITY, Pa. – For the second time this season, the Franciscan women's tennis team has earned its first-ever win over a program as the Lady Barons defeated Grove City, 6-3, in Franciscan's final match before the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference tournament.

In their final tune-up before the conference tournament, the Lady Barons appeared primed to defend their AMCC title. Franciscan got off on the right foot with a two-point lead after doubles. Seniors Julia Razook and Taranee Karimpour worked an 8-4 win at No. 3 doubles while junior Grace Hammel and sophomore Ana Victoria Maria Haddad battled for the 8-6 win at No. 2 doubles.

The Lady Barons then went on to win four of the six singles matches to clinch their first-ever win over the Wolverines.

Hammel posted the cleanest win for the Lady Barons as she defeated her opponent 6-0, 6-2 at No. 5 singles while Karimpour picked up a 6-4, 6-1 win at No. 6 singles. Haddad faced tough competition at No. 3 singles but prevailed with a 6-4, 6-3 win for the fifth point in the match for Franciscan.

Razook dropped the first set 6-1 at No. 4 singles but came back to win the second set 7-6 (10-5). In a tightly contested tie-break, Razook prevailed with a 10-5 win to close out No. 4 singles with a win for Franciscan.

The Lady Barons improved to 12-1 on the season, with their only loss coming to a DII team, and handed the Wolverines their first loss of the season.

Franciscan heads into the AMCC tournament on Saturday as the No. 1 seed in an effort to win the Lady Barons' third-straight AMCC title. Franciscan will face off against No. 4 Medaille in the first semifinal match at 3:30 pm at the Westwood Racquet Club.