MERION STATION, Pa. - The Saint Joseph's women's tennis team opened play at the 2015 SJU Invitational with doubles matches Friday afternoon. 

At Doubles Flight 1, Saint Joseph's team of Sarah Contrata and Kristina Eisenbrand opened play with an 8-6 victory over Loyola's (Md.) Megan Hahn and Amanda Lanciano. Advancing to the quarterfinals, the Hawk pair would eventually fall, 8-3, to Delaware's Sara Komer and Arielle Shuren.

Playing at the bottom half of the bracket, Claire Minnoe and Alex Zachem dropped a tough 8-6 match to Bucknell's Maria Cioffi and Melissa Parks, but bounced back in the consolation draw. Facing Atlantic 10 foes Victoria Kogan and Allison Hansen of George Washington, the SJU pair posted an 8-5 victory to advance to the semifinals.

In the second flight, Anne Marie Devlin and Robyn Ferraro dropped a hard-fought match in the quarterfinals, but bounced back with a strong showing in the consolation bracket. Facing La Salle's Jade Smith and Alexandra Santerelli, the Hawks doubled their opponents for an 8-4 win to earn a spot in the semifinals on Saturday.

Opening at the other side of the draw, Maureen Devlin and Arianne Polatnick made quick work of their La Salle opponents, downing Jayla Smith and Amanda Wieler, 8-1. Moving on to the quarterfinal, the Hawks team battled Delaware's Sarah Hall and Denny LaMachia, but eventually fell, 8-5.

Day two of the tournament begins Saturday at 8:30 a.m.