Women's Tennis | 9/23/2016 9:43:00 PM

UTICA, NY – The Hartwick women's tennis team faced Empire 8 member, Utica, on its court Friday afternoon in its first match of a back-to-back. Inclement weather forced the match's relocation midway through the action. Despite the setback, the Hawks achieved a perfect performance in doubles and five singles wins en route to an 8-1 victory over the Pioneers. The Hawks preserve their unbeaten season, 6-0 (3-0, E8). Utica drops to 3-4 overall and 1-4 in the conference.

The duo of Rose Natoli (Endwell, NY/Maine-Endwell) and Heidi Rice (Canandaigua, NY/Marcus Whitman) tabbed their largest margin of victory this season in an 8-1 win at no. 1 doubles.

Jaclyn LaSita (Wading River, NY/Shoreham-Wading River) and Caitlin O'Brien (Glenville, NY/Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) produced the same mark at no. 3.

Rounding out the first stanza was Kelly Napolitano (Mt. Sinai, NY/Mt. Sinai) and Kelli Ryan (Plattsburgh, NY/Seton Catholic) earning an 8-2 score.  

Regarding the singles section, Rice earned the Hawks their first win. She tabbed a 6-1, 6-1 clip over Julieanna Pieros to continue her undefeated streak at the top flight.

Napolitano recorded her second perfect mark this season. Her 6-0, 6-0 victory over Monica Johnson granted Hartwick an insurmountable advantage.

Natoli posted her first singles win of the season at the no. 2 spot. After splitting the first two go-rounds against Sara Grehanoff, the sophomore used a 10-4 tiebreaker score to add to her team's total.

After falling in the first rally, 7-5, O'Brien blanked Lulu Zhang, 6-0, to force a third segment. At no. 4, Zhang would gain the slight edge winning the tiebreaker, 10-8. LaSita and Ryan also recorded wins.

Tomorrow, the Hawks return home to host St. John Fisher. The action begins at 1 p.m.