SELINSGROVE, Pa. — The Catholic University women's tennis team opened conference play with a strong 8-1 victory over Susquehanna on Saturday afternoon.

Graduate student Brooke Simonson picked up two wins in the conference opener, playing well on both the singles and doubles courts.

Simonson combined with senior Abbey Cassidy at the top doubles position as the duo came through with a hard-fought victory over their challengers. The match went all the way to a tiebreak where the experienced Catholic pair triumphed, 10-2.

Simonson and Cassidy both grabbed wins on the singles courts where Nate Farlow's team swept the River Hawks. Simonson was perfect at the top singles position, winning both sets at love, while Cassidy only dropped three games in her straight-set win.

Senior Jane Krukiel also picked up two wins on the day, She defeated Grace Tepes by a break in each set at No. 3 singles after combining with teammates Marissa Stambaugh for an 8-2 win at No. 2 doubles. Stambaugh also won her second match, triumphing 6-4, 6-1 at No. 5 singles.

Aubree Narus showed grit to come through a barnburner of a match at No. 4 singles. The senior got out to a lead after a comfortable first set but was pegged back in a second-set tiebreak. She then fell behind 0-6 in the third-set tiebreak before fighting back to defeat her opponent. Narus battled back to 4-8 before rattling off six-straight points to secure the win (6-2, 6-7(5), 10-8).

Paige Brightwell also picked up a win at No. 6 singles (6-1, 6-4) after she and Bridget McCabe fell by a break at No. 3 doubles.

The Cardinals now face a quick turn around as they will immediately return to action tomorrow. Catholic will battle Randolph-Macon in its only home match of the month with opening service is set for noon.