FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Sacred Heart women's tennis team won its Northeast Conference opener on Wednesday afternoon, knocking off LIU Brooklyn, who was selected second in the NEC Preseason Coaches' Poll, 5-2 at the Pioneer Tennis Courts. SHU has won three of four to move one game under .500 at 6-7.

Sacred Heart got things started by winning the first two doubles matches to finish. The second team of Lindsey Post and Paige Olson defeated their opponents handily, 6-2, before Olivia Podsiebierski and Claudia Ruiz moved to 4-2 together with a 6-2 decision at third doubles.

Although SHU did lose the first singles match at the third position to momentarily tie the match, the Pioneers came back to take the next three to earn the victory. It began with Taylor Gurda, as she cruised to a 6-3, 6-2 win at third singles. Olson then moved above .500 to 8-7, pulling away with a 6-1 second set after battling to take the first 7-5 at position number two. Her doubles teammate ended the match by edging her fifth singles competitor 7-6, 6-4, despite being down 5-0 in the first set.

Katie DeRienzo, who had a six match winning streak in doubles with partner Gurda come to an end earlier, got back on track by taking the lone three setter of the afternoon. In what was a back-and-forth thriller, she took a super tiebreaker 11-9 for her team-best 12^th victory. The first two sets were also tight, ending with scores of 7-5 and 6-7.

SHU is right back on the Pioneer Tennis Courts tomorrow, hosing Rhode Island at 2:30 pm.

Doubles