NORTH TONAWANDA, N.Y. - The Niagara women's tenis team dropped its opening contest of its spring schedule to the visiting Cleveland St. Vikings, 7-0 on Saturday.

In doubles action Hilary Hansen (Charolettetown, P.E.I.) Emma Cunnington (Victoria, B.C.) picked up Niagara's only victory on the day defeating Maria Lazaris and Denisa Muntean of Cleveland St. 8-4.

In singles action, Cunnington put in a strong effort but was defeated by Sanda Bjelan of Cleveland St. 6-3, 6-3. The Purple Eagles were defeated in all five singles matches as Cleveland St. dominated the action. In doubles action, Raquel Solis(Puebla, Mexico) and Brittany Walters (Buffalo, N.Y.) were defeated by Charlotte Gibbons and Nicole Janek of Cleveland St. 8-1. Niagara was forced to forfiet the third doubles match as they did not have enough players due to injury.

The Niagara women's tennis team will return to action on Friday, Feb. 12 at 6 pm against visiting Mercyhurst. The match will take place in North Tonawanda, N.Y.

Cleveland St. 7, Niagara University 0

Singles:

Lazaris, Maria (CLE) def Hansen, Hilary (NIA) 6-2, 6-1

Janek, Nicole (CLE) def. Solis, Raquel (NIA) 6-0, 6-1

Bjelan, Sanda (CLE) def. Cunnington, Emma (NIA) 6-3, 6-3

Gibbons, Charlotte (CLE) def. Brittney Walters (NIA) 6-1, 6-0

Muntean, Denisa (CLE) def. Julia Gray (NIA) 6-0, 6-1

Doubles:

Hansen/Cunnington (NIA) def. Lazaris/Muntean (CLE) 8-4

Gibbons/Janek (CLE) def. Solis/Walters (NIA) 8-1