Oct. 3, 2004

PHILADELPHIA - For the second straight outing the Saint Joseph's women's tennis team (3-5) flexed its muscles against an Atlantic 10 Conference opponents blanking Rhode Island (1-3) on the Finnesey Courts, 7-0. SJU dropped just a single set en route to the shutout victory.

The Hawks began the afternoon by claiming the doubles point. Senior Michelle Savage and sophomore Alisa Van Meter paired at number two doubles for the first time this year and delivered an 8-1 win over Brigette LaFlamme and Becca Heden. SJU also got an 8-2 victory by the tandem of freshman Gina Digiacomo and sophomore Marisa Donelson, who remained perfect on the season at number three by downing Emily Conant and Amy Blitzer. Juniors Nicole Morrison and Jess Swanderski then closed it out with an 8-6 victory over Erin Fleming and Whitney Squires at number one.

In singles, SJU earned easy victories at two, three four and five. Savage topped LaFlamme 6-1, 6-1 at number two, Swandersi bested Lindsey Casagrande at number three, 6-1, 6-1, sophomore Erkia Guers won 6-2, 6-1 over Hedden at four and DiGiacomo downed Squires 6-1, 6-4 at number five.

Van Meter was a winner 6-4, 6-3 at number six, while Morrison was extended to three sets but came out on top 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 at number one.

The Hawk women are back in action on Thursday against Rider.