SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (October 13, 2017) – The Franklin Pierce University women's tennis team was defeated, 5-4, in Northeast-10 Conference play on the road at American International on Friday afternoon.

With the loss, Franklin Pierce falls to 1-13 (1-10 NE10), while AIC improves to 2-10 (2-9 NE10).

Only able to field five healthy bodies, the Ravens opened the day in a 2-0 hole, as they had to default at both third doubles and sixth singles.

The two teams then split the remaining two doubles matches, which allowed AIC to take a 3-1 lead heading into singles play. At first doubles, AIC freshman Meritxell Jimeno-Vicente and junior Carleyah McLean posted an 8-1 win over Franklin Pierce senior Sonia Rodrigues (Swansea, Mass.) and sophomore Alana Wyatt (Worcester, Mass.). Sophomores Sarah Rich (Windham, Maine) and Kelly O'Donnell (Maywood, N.J.) returned the favor at second doubles, as they put together an 8-1 win over freshman Morgan Hill and junior Alice Calabrese.

The Yellow Jackets needed just two more points to take the match, and they won at both first and second singles to get the job done. At first singles, Jimeno-Vicente took a 6-1, 6-2 decision from Wyatt. Meanwhile, at second singles, McLean notched a 6-0, 6-1 win over Rodrigues.

The match of the day came at third singles, where Rich tangled with Hill. After splitting two very close sets, the tiebreak set was highly competitive as well, with Rich ultimately prevailing for a 7-5, 5-7, 10-7 win.

The Ravens chalked up comfortable wins at both fourth and fifth singles to create the 5-4 final. At fourth singles, O'Donnell shutout Calabrese, 6-0, 6-0. At fifth singles, it was a 6-0, 6-1 win for junior Alexia Dasilva (Naugatuck, Conn.) over freshman Ashley Ata.

The Ravens return to the court on Saturday, Oct. 14, when they return home to host Emerson in a non-conference match at 11 a.m. in Rindge.

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' online store (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu/store).