SAINT LEO, Fla.- The Ave Maria University women's tennis team, entering the spring as the NAIA's number 18 team in the nation, faced an immediate test on Wednesday, taking on the Lions of Saint Leo University, the number nine ranked team in the nation at the NCAA Division II level. The Gyrenes won one doubles match and nearly took another to steal the doubles point, but could not manage a singles victory in a 7-0 win for the host Lions.

Ave Maria's lead doubles team of Lara Teodoro and Vitoria Barandas showed why they are one of the best teams in the nation with a victory over Saint Leo's top team of Nina Furmaniak and Alina Fedulova. The NAIA's sixth-ranked team earned a 6-4 win at the number one spot, running the pair's record together to 10-2 dating back to the fall. 

The Gyrenes nearly took the doubles point, thanks to a match at the number two spot that came down to the wire. Andrea Rodriguez Oria and Julia Candiotto played an even 6-6 set with Saint Leo's duo of Marta Vicens Miquel and Lavinia Lancellotti, but could not close the deal. The Saint Leo duo won the tiebreaker 7-1, and coupled with a 6-0 win at the number three spot, took the doubles point.

Saint Leo won all six singles matches, taking each match in straight sets. Saint Leo's nationally ranked lineup was led by Marta Vicens Miquel, who ranks in the top 40 players in the nation at the NCAA Division II level. 

AMU's next match is a big one, as it will mark the beginning of Sun Conference play for the Gyrenes. Ave Maria will head across Alligator Alley for a meeting with the Bobcats of St. Thomas University, who enter the season receiving votes in the NAIA Coaches' Poll. The battle of the nationally recognized teams is scheduled for a 1:00 p.m. start Saturday in Miami Gardens.