LATHAM, NY – Siena Women's Tennis matches may not be for the faint of heart.
 
The Saints (3-6) did it again—pulling out critical tie-breaking victories from both Andrea Vargas and Madeline De Faber-Schumacher in their singles matches at the No. 2 and No. 6 slots to earn a dramatic 4-3 conference-opening win over Sacred Heart at Tri-City Fitness on Friday night.
 
For a second consecutive match, De Faber-Schumacher used all three sets to triumph over her opponent—this time earning a 6-1, 6-7, 7-6 (4) win against junior Ana Sofia Angelse Sanchez. 
 
Other singles' wins came from No. 2 Vargas, who rallied past senior Aina Garriga 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (4).
 
And, once again, the back end of the lineup stepped up with a win from No. 5 Manuela Gomez, who won in straight sets over sophomore Malena del Olmo 6-3, 6-2. 
 
The Pioneers fell to 1-7 overall and 0-2 in MAAC play on the season.  
 
Next, Siena will play Sunday, March 23 at 11 a.m. at Mount St. Mary's (1-10, 0-0 MAAC) in a conference match. 
 
DOUBLES
#1 Aina Garriga/Ola Irla Bartyzel (SHU) def. Laia Giralt/Manuela Gomez (SC) 6-1
#2 Andrea Vargas/ Zaara Omar (SC) def. Olivia Kharkover/Malena del Olmo (SHU) 7-6 (4)
#3 Reegan Mullaney/ Madeline De Faber-Schumacher (SC) def. Hana Hofmanova/Kailin Gochna (SHU) 6-2
 
SINGLES
#1 Bartyzel (SHU) def. Giralt (SC) 7-6 (5), 2-6, 7-5
#2 Vargas (SC) def. Garriga (SHU) 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (4)
#3 Kharkover (SHU) def. Mullaney (SC) 6-1, 1-6, 6-1
#4 Hofmanova (SHU) def. Omar (SC) 6-4, 6-1
#5 Gomez (SC) def. del Olmo (SHU) 6-3, 6-2
#6 De Faber-Schumacher (SC) def. Ana Sofia Angelse Sanchez (SHU) 6-1, 6-7, 7-6 (4)