ROCHESTER, N.Y. (August 30, 2008) – Stevens Institute of Technology opened Empire 8 competition as it fell 2-7 against Nazareth College in women's tennis action on Saturday in Rochester, N.Y. With the season opening loss, the Ducks ran their record to 0-1 on the year, while the Golden Flyers sport a 1-0 mark.

In doubles action, senior Whitney Bender and sophomore Allyson Kingman recorded a solid 8-5 win in the first flight over junior Jackeline Martinez (Cortland, N.Y.) and senior Rachel Leonard (Palmyra, N.Y.). Nazareth captured second doubles as seniors Danielle Carinci (Oneida, N.Y.) and Jessica Faber (Skaneateles, N.Y.) topped sophomore Kendra Appleheimer and freshman Nicole Portner by the score of 9-8 (4). In the third-doubles slot, sophomore Sherrita Wilkins (Rochester, N.Y.) and junior Elizabeth Way (Gorham, N.Y.) defeated freshman Morgan Scalzi and junior Natalie Schloeder by an 8-4 decision.

In singles play, Stevens only came away with one victorious flight. Bender led things off as she fell to Leonard 3-6, 6-2, 6-1. Kingman fought hard for her 7-6 (5), 2-6, 12-10 win over Martinez at No. 2 singles. Portner came up short in a 7-5, 6-3 loss over Carinci at third singles. In No. 4 singles, freshman Zeynep Mine Bese dropped in straight sets to Way by the scores of 6-2, 7-5. Appleheimer fell short to Faber 6-0, 7-6 (4), while Scalzi was upended by sophomore Kelly Noble (Homer, N.Y.) 7-5, 1-6, 6-2.

Coming up on Sunday, Stevens returns to conference action as it takes on Rochester Institute of Technology at 11 a.m. That match will also be played in Rochester.