FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The Northern Arizona University women's tennis team closed out its home opening weekend with a split over Montana State and Emory University in the Aquatic and Tennis Complex. The Lumberjacks kicked off the morning with a 5-2 win over the Bobcats and later fell to the reigning Division III National Runner-Up Emory University 4-3. After today's showing, NAU improves to 7-6 overall and 3-1 in conference play.

"I was extremely disappointed with how we started against Montana State in doubles," Head Coach Kim Bruno said. "But what we did well was we came out and responded in singles. Everyone stayed within themselves and we looked like a team that wanted to win."

The 'Jacks had some adjusting to do without freshman Hanneke Lodewijks in the lineup, but they found their groove rather quickly despite dropping the doubles point against Montana State. Sophomore Blanka Szavay stepped into the No. 1 singles role in place of Lodewijks and had no trouble. She only dropped one point in a two-set decision against Montana State's Naomi Holopainen. Every player for Northern Arizona won their first singles set and the rest was history.

Junior Hailey Rochin gave NAU its first lead of the morning after winning her match at No. 3 singles 6-2, 6-2. Senior Jordan Denesik also took down her opponent in straight sets on court four 6-4, 6-2. With a 3-1 lead in Northern Arizona's favor, the match came down to Sara Brown at line six. Brown held on in the first set 7-6(2) and would pull away in the second, 6-1, to clinch the match. Freshman Eirene Granville came away with the fifth point for NAU on court five.

Against Emory, marking the first matchup in school history between the two squads, Northern Arizona stole an early lead after capturing the doubles point. Doubles tandem Emelia Box and Rochin took care of business at court one, as did Szavay and Granville on court two. Both pairs fell that morning to the Bobcats, but bounced back to get the job done just a few short hours later.

In singles, the Eagles played quite inspired seeking a win over a Division I program. Five of Emory's six players in today's lineup are currently in the Division III ITA national rankings starting with Taylor Cosme at No. 3, Bridget Harding at No. 14, Michelle Satterfield at No. 18, Madison Gordon at No. 28 and Beatrice Rosen at No. 28. As a team, Emory ranks No. 3 in the country among Division III opponents.

The Eagles jumped out to a 3-1 lead midway through singles with wins on courts six, one and three. Denesik was able to give the 'Jacks a boost with her 6-3, 6-2 victory on court four over Rosen. With the score 3-2 in Emory's favor, the match came down to Granville and Lewandowska who each dropped their first sets to begin. The race to four was certainly a tough and competitive one, but Gordon escaped on court five against Granville to clinch the match for the Eagles. Lewandowska capped off the last point for NAU in a gritty 5-7, 7-5, 10-6 finish over Arizona native Satterfield.

"Both Jordan [Denesik] and Marta [Lewandowska] give you their heart and soul every time they step on the court," Bruno said. "That's what we need from every single one of our girls. We are a good team, but we will be great if we do that."

Montana State Results

Doubles

1. Laura Middel/Naomi Holopainen (MSU) def. Emelia Box/Hailey Rochin (NAU) 6-2
2. Jessica Brycki/Angelina Philippova (MSU)def. Blanka Szavay/Eirene Granville (NAU) 6-3
3. Marta Lewandowska/Jordan Denesik (NAU) vs. Linda Vink/Shelby Cerkovnik (MSU) 5-3, unfinished

Order of Finish: 1, 2

Singles

1. Blanka Szavay (NAU) def. Naomi Holopainen (MSU) 6-0, 6-1
2. Laura Meddel (MSU) def. Marta Lewandowska (NAU) 3-6, 6-4, 6-2
3. Hailey Rochin (NAU) def. Jessica Brycki (MSU) 6-2, 6-2
4. Jordan Denesik (NAU) def. Angelina Philippova (MSU) 6-4, 6-2
5. Eirene Granville (NAU) def. Linda Vink (MSU) 6-3, 3-6, (10-4)
6. Sara Brown (NAU) def. Shelby Cerkovnik (MSU) 7-6(2), 6-1

Order of Finish: 1, 3, 4, 6*, 5, 2

*Clinched the match

Emory Results

Doubles

1. Emelia Box/Hailey Rochin (NAU) def. Bridget Harding/Anna Fuhr (EU) 6-2
2. Blanka Szavay/Eirene Granville (NAU) def. Daniella Moreno-Kaste/Paula Castro (EU) 6-1
3. Jordan Denesik/Marta Lewandowska (NAU) vs. Daniela Lopez/Katarina Su (EU) 3-4, unfinished

Order of Finish: 2, 1

Singles

1. Bridget Harding (EU) def. Blanka Szavay (NAU) 6-3, 6-2
2. Marta Lewandowska (NAU) def. Michelle Satterfield (EU) 5-7, 7-5 (10-6)
3. Taylor Cosme (EU) def. Hailey Rochin (NAU) 6-2, 6-2
4. Jordan Denesik (NAU) def. Beatrice Rosen (EU) 6-3, 6-2
5. Madison Gordon (EU) def. Eirene Granville (NAU) 7-6(3), 6-1
6. Katarina Su (EU) def. Sara Brown (NAU) 6-1, 6-2

Order of Finish: 6, 1, 3, 4, 5, 2