BABSON PARK, Fla.- The Ave Maria University women's tennis team defeated a quality opponent from the NCAA Division II ranks on Monday, defeating the Warriors of Winona State University, 5-2, in Babson Park. The Warriors are currently 6-2 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, and defeated Webber International University, 6-1, earlier in the day.

The Gyrenes had to play from behind on Monday, as Winona State took two of the three doubles matches to earn the opening point. AMU's lone victory was supplied by the top team of Lara Teodoro and Julia Candiotto, who picked up a 7-5 victory. Winona State won at the second and third positions, as Kendra Kappes and Rachel Kelly won 6-3 at number two and Tayla Card and Rina Niehoff earned a 6-4 triumph at number three.

Momentum turned in singles play, with Ave Maria winning five of the six matches to claim their fifth consecutive victory. In the top three spots, the Gyrenes rolled to straight set victories. Teodoro stormed past WSU's Beth Murman, 6-1, 6-0, while Candiotto handled Kappes, 6-4, 6-3. Gabrielle Benn survived a scare in the first set of her match at the number three position with a 7-5 win, then trounced Kaisey Skibba in the second set, 6-1.

Winona State's lone singles win was supplied by Kelly, who won 4-6, 6-3, 10-7 over Aethielle Kelkboom at the number four spot. Ave Maria capped off their 5-2 victory with wins at the fifth and sixth positions. Kelly Oliveira won 3-6, 6-2, 10-8 at the number five spot, while Nadia Mangelsdorff claimed a straight set victory at the number six position.

As winners of five in a row, the Gyrenes will look to extend their winning streak on Wednesday against the Flyers of Lewis University. Ave Maria, who is currently ranked in the top 30 in the nation, will return home for the first time since February 29, with the opening serve scheduled for 1:00 p.m.