Women's Tennis | 9/1/2016 8:47:00 PM

TROY, NY – After a perfect finish in doubles action, the Hartwick women's tennis team collected five more wins in singles play to solidify an 8-1 road victory over The Sage Colleges. The win marks the first for Peter Dumas as head coach. Women's tennis starts its year off 1-0 while Sage falls to 0-1.

The veteran pair of sophomore Kelly Napolitano (Mt. Sinai, NY/Mt. Sinai) and junior Kelli Ryan (Plattsburgh, NY/Seton Catholic) brought in the first win for the Hawks at the number two slot with a seamless 8-0 mark.

Following up that success, was senior classmates Caitlin O'Brien (Glenville, NY/Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) and Sam Dow (Schererville, IN/Lake Central) at #3 only dropping two points to Sage's Emily Schultz and Tolman, 8-2.

To round out doubles action, junior Heidi Rice (Canandaigua, NY/Marcus Whitman) and sophomore Rose Natoli (Endwell, NY/Maine-Endwell) tabbed an 8-5 clip to secure a 3-0 lead heading into the solo matches.

The Hawks only dropped one singles contest in their season debut. Napolitano was the first to wrap up her match and did so in a near sweep 6-0, 6-1. Ryan, representing the #4 flight, topped the Gators' Abbey Clobridge 6-2, 6-1. O'Brien (#5) and Caitlin Hawley (Camillus, NY/West Genesee) (#6) defeated their opponents 6-4, 6-1 and 6-3, 6-4, respectively. Rice would conclude the game registering a 6-2, 6-2 advantage over Melissa Estremera.

This Saturday, 'Wick will play its first match at home as it battles conference opponent Alfred University. The Empire 8 matchup is slated for a 1 p.m. start.