GRANTHAM, Pa. - After being rained out last weekend, the Messiah women's tennis team opened the 2019-20 season on Saturday afternoon with a home match against the York College Spartans. The Spartans earned a 9-0 victory against the Falcons in Messiah's first action of the new season.

On a warm fall day, the Falcons were swept in doubles play, winning five games across the three matches. The Spartans continued their strong play in singles play, winning all six matches in straight sets.

The Falcons will complete their fall season with a match against the University of Scranton Royals on Oct. 5 on Criste Courts at 1:00 p.m. in Grantham.

Doubles Play
The Falcons dropped all three doubles matches against the Spartans on Saturday. The No. 1 doubles team of Rachel Marcroft and Kaylie Ryder had the best showing for the Falcons, picking up three games in an 8-3 defeat against the York team of Machaela Sentz and Gina Liguori.

In No. 2 doubles, Sarah Fleming and Angela Tozzi claimed a pair of games in an 8-2 defeat to York's Hannah Shinsky and Chole Doyle.

York earned an 8-0 victory at No. 3 doubles to take a 3-0 lead in the team scoring heading into singles play.

Singles Play
As mentioned, the Spartans claimed all six singles matches in straight sets. York's Shinsky had the most dominating effort in singles play with a 6-0, 6-0 victory on court three. For the Falcons, Heather Schmidt and Sarah Fleming each claimed four games across the two sets for Messiah's best showing. Schmidt won four games in her first set at No. 4 singles, but fell 6-4, 6-0 in her match.

Fleming also put together a strong opening set, winning three games before dropping her match 6-3, 6-1 in No. 6 singles.

What's Up Next
The Falcons will wrap-up their 2019 fall season on Oct. 5 when they welcome the University of Scranton Royals to town at 1:00 p.m.