BRADENTON, Fla.- The Ave Maria University women's tennis program could not break their skid on Saturday, falling 4-0 to the Mighty Banyans of New College of Florida in the first-ever meeting between the teams. The match was played on the campus of IMG Academy in Bradenton.

The Mighty Banyans took the doubles point with a 6-0 victory at the second doubles flight, won by the duo of Madeleine Chellas / Camila Cardona-Carballosa. That win, coupled with a forfeit victory at the third flight, gave the doubles point to the hosts.

With two singles matches given to the Mighty Banyans via forfeit, the hosts needed to win just one singles match to clinch the victory. That victory was provided at the third flight, where Emilia Schulte earned a 6-1, 6-0 victory.

Melana Mourad, who was playing at the sixth flight, won her first set by a 6-3 margin, and was even with her opponent, 1-1, when the match was clinched. Mariangel Nunez also had a lead in her match, holding a 2-1 lead in the second set after falling in the first set at the top flight.

The road gets no easier for the Gyrenes on Wednesday, with one of the top 25 teams at the NCAA Division II level on the schedule. Ave Maria battles No. 23 Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, with opening serve at 3:00 p.m. The next home match is slated for Friday, April 10, when the Gyrenes face NAIA No. 1 Keiser.