WILKES-BARRE, Pa. (May 1, 2021)  – Sophomore Audrey Heaberlin continued her strong singles play with a straight-set victory at No. 1 singles, but the Stevens Institute of Technology women's tennis team fell to Wilkes University 8-1 Saturday in a MAC Freedom matchup at the Ralston Athletic Complex. 

The setback was the first of the year for the Ducks, who finished the regular season with a 7-1 record and a 5-1 mark in the program's first season in the MAC Freedom. The Ducks earned the second seed in the conference playoffs and will host Lycoming College Tuesday, May 4.

"We fought hard but didn't have enough to get it done today," said head coach Arik Zeevy. "Credit to Wilkes for their performance and for an undefeated regular season."

The Colonels won five of the six contested matches to wrap up the regular season a perfect 10-0, including a 7-0 mark in conference play, to earn the top seed in the MAC Freedom playoffs. Wilkes, who will host King's in the quarterfinal, is in search of their 14th straight MAC Freedom crown.

"Our team had had a long week," Zevy reflected. "We are fighting shorthanded at the moment, but aren't making any excuses, and we are doing whatever we can to extend this season for our seniors and our teammates. Excited to play at home on Tuesday in front of friends and family and get the postseason started."

Heaberlin's victory in the first singles position was her second straight at the top of the lineup, and sixth overall. The Lexington, South Carolina native won in straight sets over Dasha Yakhnis, 6-0, 6-0, to improve to 6-1 on the year.

Wilkes claimed both contested doubles flights, with Yakhnis and partner Zoe Klein topping Heaberlin and senior Makenna Sargis via an 8-5 decision at first doubles. Senior Gabriella Tantillo and sophomore Juliette Marchisio fell at second doubles to Dagney Markle and Cassidy Greenman 8-1.

In singles play, Markle topped Sargis 7-5, 6-0 at second singles, while Marchisio dropped a 6-2, 6-2 score to Sarah Malone at No. 4 singles. Tantillo and Greeman had the best back-and-forth match of the afternoon, with Greenman edging the Ducks' senior in three sets (4-6, 6-4, 10-8) after Tantillo rallied to force the third set.

Up Next: The second-seeded Ducks host Lycoming in the MAC Freedom quarterfinals Tuesday afternoon at the Stevens Tennis Courts.. 

Please note that all event times, dates and opponents are subject to change.

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