FAIRFIELD, Conn. - The Monmouth University women's tennis team opened their 2009-10 season with a 6-1 loss to conference rival Sacred Heart on Thursday afternoon in Fairfield, Conn. The loss dropped the Hawks to 0-1 in overall play and conference play as NEC foe Sacred Heart moves to 1-0 on the young season.

The Hawks opened up the season on the right foot, earning the doubles point with second and third doubles earning victories for MU, and putting the Hawks up 1-0 going into singles play. Battling back after first singles lost, the duo of sophomore Jessica Slinger (Tinton Falls, N.J./Monmouth Regional) and senior Diane Washer (Ogdensburg, N.J./Wallkill Valley Regional) defeated the Pioneers' Amalfe and Mideva, 8-5, in second doubles action. In the deciding third doubles match, teammates freshman Dana Ferrari (Saddle Brook, N.J./Immaculate Heart Academy) and senior Kelly Friedrich (Brick, N.J./Brick Memorial) teamed up to soundly beat SHU's Legenza and Scierka, 8-1, in third doubles to give MU the point.

In singles action, Monmouth was shut out by the Pioneers, with freshman Nicole Lippens (Long Branch, N.J./Shore Regional) producing the closest matchup in second singles after being defeated by SHU's Demers, 6-2, 6-4. Fellow classmate Ferrari dropped fourth singles, 6-4, 6-2, for the next closest loss.

The defeat marked the second straight season the Blue and White have lost the season opener.

The Blue and White continue fall season play when they travel to Queens, N.Y. on Wednesday, September 23rd for a dual match with Manhattan with first serve scheduled for 4:30 p.m.