Robert Morris University - Illinois Team Page

Chicago, IL - Off to the best start in the program's history, the Robert Morris Women's Tennis team ran its winning streak to five with a 7-2 victory over the Fighting Saints of the University of St. Francis (IL) on Tuesday, October 5, 2010, on their home courts at Millennium Park on Chicago's Lake Shore.

This was the first time in Lady Eagles Tennis history that RMU came out on top in this rivalry, and the triumph came despite injuries to three of the Lady Eagles' top players.

After winning her first set, 6 games to 1, Stephanie Messina had to forfeit her singles match due to injury.  Earlier in the day, she and her doubles partner Alejandra Gamboa were able to overpower the Saints' Princess Clemente and Corinne Lutz, earning a decisive 8-2 victory. On a neighboring court RMU's Karyn Emeralda and Ana Kostic took down Emily Zajda and Barb Koziol 8-5 for another point.

The only other loss of the day for the Lady Eagles besides Messina's injury forfeit came at second doubles with Sami McQueen and Katie Jensen dropping their match to Danielle Emola and Agnes Belza in a nail biter 5-8.

At first singles Alejanda ran Princess Clemente all over the court to prevail 6-1, 6-4; meanwhile Karyn Emeralda toyed with Corinne Lutz beating her in a near shutout 6-0, 6-1. Ana Kostic also won her singles match handily 6-3, 6-2.

Two tightly contested matches at fifth and sixth singles saw Sami McQueen winning her first set 7-6 with a 7-1 he tie-breaker.  The standout sophomore then took the second set 7-5 for the win against USF's Danielle Emola. Amy Gil dropped the first set 6-0 to the Saints' Barb Koziol before regrouping and to take second and third sets 6-0 and 6-3.

The win improved RMU to 5-1 on the season.