AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University women's tennis team suffered their first Sun Conference loss of 2022 on Saturday, falling 4-3 to the Southeastern University Fire, who were receiving votes in the initial NAIA Coaches' Poll. The Gyrenes and Fire split the six singles matches on Saturday, but Southeastern's victories in doubles action proved to be decisive. 

Ave Maria's nationally ranked pair of Lara Teodoro and Vitoria Barandas bounced back from a defeat at St. Thomas to earn the Gyrenes' lone victory in doubles, 6-4. However, the Fire controlled the other two matches in doubles play, winning 6-2 at the number two spot behind Priscila Baptista and Martina Picardi, and clinching the doubles point with a 6-4 win by Neleah Neiberline and Abigail Damon at the number three spot. 

Barandas also earned one of Ave Maria's three singles victories, defeating Irene Lopez in straight sets at the number four spot. The win was especially sweet for Barandas, who lost to Lopez twice in the fall, both at the ITA Regionals and the YTF Tournament. Ave Maria's other straight set victory was provided by Aethielle Kelkboom, who rolled over Abigail Damon at the number six spot, 6-2, 6-3.

The most competitive match of the day came at the number three spot, as Andrea Rodriguez Oria rallied from a first set defeat to take the point from Neleah Neiberline. Rodriguez Oria fell 7-6 in the opening set, but bounced back to earn victories of 6-4 in each of the final two sets.

Southeastern won the other three singles matches, which was enough to leave Ave Maria with a 4-3 win. Martina Picardi knocked off Lara Teodoro in straight sets at the top position, while Beatrice Letizia did the same to Valentine Colin at the second position. The last of SEU's wins was provided by Priscila Baptista, who dominated her match to the tune of a 6-1, 6-2 victory.

Ave Maria's next test comes on Wednesday, when the Gyrenes take on the Eagles of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, a member of the Sunshine State Conference at the NCAA Division II level. Opening serve between AMU and ERAU is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. The next home match is scheduled for Friday morning, when Ave Maria plays host to Ottawa University from Arizona.