LAKELAND, Fla.- The Ave Maria University women's tennis team had no answers for one of the nation's top teams on Friday, falling 4-0 to the Fire of Southeastern University at the Beerman Family Tennis Complex in Lakeland. 

The Fire quickly won the doubles point, thanks to a 6-0 victory by SEU's second flight team of Leonie Schondelmaier and Aurora Compagnucci, who are currently ranked 43rd in the nation. That win, coupled with a forfeit victory at the third flight, gave the doubles point to the hosts.

Southeastern needed to win just one singles match to clinch victory, with the Fire given forfeit wins at the fifth and sixth singles spots. The clinching point was provided by Compagnucci, a 6-0, 6-0 winner at the fourth flight. 

The most successful of Ave Maria's singles players was Elizabeth Pince, who won three points off of Southeastern's Alessia Ciampi, the 58th ranked player in the nation.

The Gyrenes return to action on Saturday, heading to Bradenton for their first-ever meeting with the Mighty Banyans of New College of Florida.