Franciscan 7, Pitt.-Greensburg 2

STEUBENVILLE, OHIO - The Franciscan Women's Tennis Team began the 2022-23 season on Wednesday afternoon with a home opener win against former AMCC opponent and reigning AMCC champions Pitt-Greensburg.

Doubles
    The dynamic duo of Olivia Colby and Maria Herrera began their season just as expected. The pair were undefeated in conference doubles play last season, and look like they haven't skipped a beat over the offseason. They finished their opponents 8-2 and put the first team point for Franciscan on the board. Haley Davinsizer paired up with returning Estelle Leon in the #2 doubles and took down their opponents 8-3. The #3 doubles were both freshmen. Delaney Dawson and Kina Ehlers. The two are part of a very exciting group of freshmen and showed amazing talent in their 5-8 match loss. Going into Singles play the Barons lead 2-1.

Singles
    Maria Herrera faced Emily Ruhlman in the #1 spot. Herrera was the PAC Player of the Year, and Ruhlman won AMCC Player of the Year back-to-back years. This was a battle of Mid-Atlantic titans. A battle that Herrera settled quickly. Herrera took the first set 6-1, then let up only slightly to win the second set 6-3. The #1's were the first singles match finished, and Herrera put the Barons up 3-1. Haley Davinsizer's season last year was a story of steady and constant improvement. Her last match in the NCAA tournament was once of her best performances. Today she showed no signs of stopping with her 6-1, 6-3 victory in the #4 spot and bringing her team one point away from victory. One of the many exciting freshmen, Margaret Vernau, played the #6 spot. Her opponent is a Junior that went 10-3 last season in #5 and #6 singles play. Margaret showed mature signs for a freshmen sticking with it during the ups and downs and won her match 6-4, 6-4. Her match win gave the Barons their 5th point and clinched the season opener victory. The next two finishers were two more freshmen. Kina Ehlers played in the #2 spot. Her 6-2, 6-4 match win must have coach Scott Greve gleaming at what's to come. A freshmen to play at such a high level this early in the season is outstanding. Her teammate Claire Cardie showed similar maturity and grit as Vernau. She lost her first set of her season, but didn't let it phase her. Cardie came back and took the 2nd set 6-4, then gritted out a close and hard fought 10-8 tie break set.
    The Barons have won back-to-back PAC championships. If you were expecting a three-peat, today made your excitement run wild. Once again, the Barons have put together a talented squad filled with high quality individuals. 

Next Up
Franciscan will have over a week between matches, as they return to competition next Friday at home against Saint Vincent. This will be the first PAC conference for the Barons, and the second for the Bearcats, as they play Waynesburg over the weekend. Franciscan is 6-0 all-time against St. Vincent, including a pair of conference wins over the last two seasons. The Bearcats were picked to finish 6th in the conference according to last week's coaches' poll. Last season they were the 5th best team in the conference, which earned a trip to the PAC Quarterfinals where they fell to Grove City.

Stay Connected 
Be sure to follow Franciscan Athletics on Youtube, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for the most in-depth coverage.