HOUSTON – The Southwestern University Pirates women's tennis team defeated SCAC and NCAA Division III newcomer University of St. Thomas Celts in the season opener, sweeping the Celts 9-0.
Mary Cardone and Emma Kesterson won a hard-fought match in the No. 1 doubles spot, defeating Alejandra Lopez and Ana Maria Gonzalez 8-7, claiming the tiebreaker 7-5.
The Pirates found smoother sailing in the No. 2 and 3 doubles match, sweeping both 8-0. Esther Bowers and Taylor Despriet defeated Callighan Ard and Asan Atilla and Alli Ziehm and Cecile Wilde bested Anna Ta and Alyssa Davila.
In singles, Cardone defeated Lopez (6-3, 6-0) and Bowers took her match with Gonzalez in three sets (6-7, 6-3, 10-5). Kesterson gave up a single point to Davila in the No. 3 spot, winning 6-1, 6-0, and Nina Elez and Despriet swept their competition from the No. 4 and 5 spots 6-0 in straight sets each.
Alli Ziehm picked up a victory (6-0, 6-1) over Ta in the No. 6 spot.
With the win, Southwestern opens its season 1-0. The Pirates will travel to Belton, Texas next Friday, Feb. 7 for a match with Mary Hardin-Baylor. They'll host Angelo State for a scrimmage on Saturday, Feb. 8 at 3:00 p.m.