HOBOKEN, N.J. (September 1, 2007) – Stevens Institute of Technology opened Empire 8 competition with a 6-3 victory over Nazareth College in women's tennis action on Saturday at the Stevens Tennis Courts in Hoboken, N.J. With the win, the Ducks ran their record to 1-0 on the year. The Golden Flyers fell to 0-1 with the loss.

In doubles action, senior Dana Bacalla and freshman Allyson Kingman recorded an impressive 8-1 win in the first flight over juniors Rachel Leonard (Palmyra, N.Y.) and Stephanie Parvan (Fairport, N.Y.). Nazareth captured second doubles as junior Jessica Faber (Skaneateles, N.Y.) and sophomore Jackie Martinez (Cortland, N.Y.) topped juniors Whitney Bender and Rebecca Ryba by the scored of 8-2. In the third-doubles position, sophomore Natalie Schloeder and freshman Kendra Appleheimer combined for a 9-7 victory over the Golden Flyers' tandem of senior Ellen Austin (Maine, N.Y.) and junior Danielle Carinci (Oneida, N.Y.).

In singles play, Stevens captured four of six flights to secure the victory. Bacalla led off with a 6-2, 6-0 win over Parvan at first singles. Bender rolled to a 6-3, 6-3 victory against Leonard at No. 2 singles. Kingman prevailed in a second-set tiebreaker to post a 6-2, 7-6 (8-6) win versus Martinez at third singles. Appleheimer dropped a total of one game in her straight-sets victory (6-1, 6-0) over Faber at No. 4 singles.

Coming up on Sunday, Stevens will be right back in action as the Ducks take on conference foe Rochester Institute of Technology at noon. That match will also be played in Hoboken.