FLUSHING, N.Y. (4/14/23) – In their first match since March 5^th, the Franklin Pierce women's tennis team returned to East Regional competition and earned a closely-battled, 4-3 win over Queens College (N.Y.) on Friday afternoon at the QC Tennis Bubble.

The win boosts Pierce's overall record to 11-4 (8-1 NE10) on the year, while Queens drops to 9-8 (3-2 ECC) with the loss.

To begin the match, the Ravens grabbed the doubles point thanks to victories at the No. 2 and No. 3 positions. Junior pairing Maria Penalver (Las Palmas, Spain) and Zoe Asterio Correa (Toronto, Ontario) kicked it all off with a decisive 6-1 win over Queens' Apolline Lamy and Caroline Hany-Fawzy in the No. 2 slot. Meanwhile, junior Aynara Ferraz (Canary Islands, Spain) and sophomore newcomer Michela Montori (Lima, Peru) claimed a 6-4 victory over opponents Maja Makal and Gabriela Sciarrotta, giving Pierce the 1-0 edge entering singles play.

In singles, Queens wasted no time in getting back into the battle. The Knights would jump ahead to a 2-1 lead with quick wins at the No. 4 and No. 3 courts, before Michela Montori got the Ravens back on track with a win at No. 6 spot, by way of matching 7-5 scores in two sets. To follow, Aynara Ferraz emerged victorious over Queens' Chloe Certain, sweeping a decisive third set by a 6-0 score (6-4, 4-6, 6-0). Maria Penalver would then complete the winning effort for the Ravens with an entertaining finish at No. 1 singles, defeating opponent Maja Maka in three sets (6-2, 4-6, 7-5).

Up next, the Ravens continue their regional competition and host Daemen University (5-11, 2-3 ECC) on Sunday at 5:00 p.m.