LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. ? The Monmouth University women's tennis team opened the 2008-2009 season with a close 4-3 loss to Rider University on Thursday afternoon in Lawrenceville, N.J. The loss drops the Hawks to 0-1 on the young season.
A mixture of youth and experience showed promise as the Hawks received victories by freshman and seniors alike. At the fourth singles spot, freshman Britney Dupuis (Freehold, N.J./Colts Neck) won in straight sets 6-1, 6-1. Fellow freshman Jessica Slinger (Tinton Falls, N.J./Monmouth Regional) won 6-1, 6-2 over Rider's Katie Garrity to give the freshmen duo wins in their career opener matches. Senior Sarah Ragan (Lanoka Harbor, N.J./Lacey Township) fought hard at first singles just missing out on victory with final scores 7-6 (7-5), 6-4.
Monmouth won two of three doubles sets to earn the point for the Hawks. Seniors Kaitlin Gallagher (North Haledon, N.J./Immaculate Heart Academy) and Ragan teamed up to take the first doubles for a 9-7 win. The Blue and White finished the doubles competition with a third doubles victory by Kristen Hoffmann (Flemington, N.J./Hunterdon Central) and Slinger.
With two victories on the day, Slinger becomes the first Hawk in team history to record a flawless day on the courts in her first career match.
The Hawks return to the courts on Friday, September 19 when they travel to St. Peter's for a 3:30 p.m. match with the Peahens.
