Rodgers picks up win at fourth singles

RINDGE, N.H. (April 8, 2013) – Sophomore Leslie Rodgers (Westminster, Md.) rolled to a win at fourth singles on Monday afternoon, but the Franklin Pierce University women's tennis team was defeated, 8-1, by Merrimack in Northeast-10 Conference play at Franklin Pierce.

With the loss, Franklin Pierce falls to 3-8 (1-8 Northeast-10), while Merrimack improves to 5-11 (5-5 Northeast-10).

Rodgers earned Franklin Pierce's lone point in a fourth singles tilt with Merrimack junior Alyx Barnes. Rodgers dropped only two games on her way to a dominant, 6-2, 6-0 win.

Elsewhere, the Ravens nearly picked up a second point at first doubles, as junior Natasha McCarthy (Rindge, N.H.) and sophomore Emily Parrett (Amherst, N.H.) put forth a solid effort. After a lengthy battle, the duo dropped an 8-6 decision to Barnes and sophomore Shakee Messina.

In all, four different Merrimack players won in both singles and doubles play, led by Messina, who won in the top flight of each. After her doubles win, she dispatched McCarthy at first singles, 6-0, 6-1.

The Ravens return to the court on Tuesday, April 9, when they remain home to host Saint Anselm in a Northeast-10 Conference match at 4 p.m.

For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu). Also be sure to follow the Ravens through the Department of Athletics' official Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/FranklinPierceRavens), its YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/franklinpiercesports) and its Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/FPUathletics). Fans wishing to purchase Franklin Pierce tennis apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' brand new online store (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu/store).