Franco Clinches Winning Point in UDC’s 5-2 Victory over STAC

ORANGEBURG, N.Y. – The University of the District of Columbia's women's tennis team defeated conference foe, St. Thomas Aquinas, 5-2, on Friday afternoon at the Match Point Tennis Club. The Firebirds improved to a 2-0, 1-0 ECC record on the season.

After tough losses at No. 1, 2, and 3 to forfeit the doubles point to the Spartans, the Firebirds had to do big numbers in the singles round to come back and take the win.

STAC went on to grab the first singles point with a win at No. 4, to give them a 2-0 lead. But that would be the last point the Spartans win on the day, as the Firebirds went on to take wins at No. 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6.

Simoné Pärn defeated STAC's No. 1 singles player Karina Blas 6-1, 6-2 to give UDC their first point of the game. Next up was Sofia Bellucco at No. 3 with a 7-6(4), 6-2 win over Paula Palero. Valentina Brienza would then give UDC a 3-2 edge over STAC with a 6-2, 6-2 win at No. 6. In a tough battle at No. 2, Mariona Franco would clinch the winning point for the Firebirds to give them their first conference victory of the season.  With a 3-6 loss in the first round Franco came back to win the next two sets, 6-2, 7-5.

Laura Marie finished out the match with a 2-6, 6-1, 6-0 win at No. 5 to bring the final score to 5-2.

The Firebirds will take on two-time consecutive ECC Champs, Queens College, tomorrow September 25 in Flushing N.Y. The first match is slated to go off at 9:00 am.