NEW HAVEN, CT—The NJIT women's tennis team edged Sacred Heart, 4-3, in the 2014 season opener Saturday on the campus of Yale University at Cullman Heyman Tennis Center.
 
The Highlanders swept the doubles contests to earn the point and won the first three singles matches to edge the Pioneers, 4-3.  Sacred Heart picked up three points at fourth, fifth and sixth singles.
 
Seniors Ksenia Kuzmenko and Jana Luste were 8-2 winners for NJIT at first doubles over Sacred Heart's Katie Derienzo and Lindsey Post.  Kuzmenko, competing at first singles won in straight sets over Derienzo, 6-5(4), 6-3 while Luste at the third spot went the distance with Post dropping the first frame, 6-5(1) and fought back to take the next two sets, 6-4, 10-7.
 
Brazilian natives Carolina Zanotta and Natalia Melibeu notched an 8-2 victory at second doubles topping Pioneers Gabi Kaldan and Taylor Gurda.  Melibeu was a 6-5(8), 6-5(6) winner at second singles for NJIT, topping Kaldan.  Zanotta dropped a three-set tilt at the fifth spot against Nicole Rydzewski, 6-1, 5-6(3), 10-6.
 
At third doubles, Nathalie Habegger and Hannelore MacDonald recorded an 8-3 victory defeating Paige Olson and Rydzewski.  Habegger and MacDonald fell in straight sets at fourth and sixth singles.
 
Highlander Megan Guidry won a practice match against Sacred Heart's Haley Dubits, 8-2.
 
NJIT will return to action on Sunday hosting Saint Peter's at 4pm in The Naimoli Family Athletic and Recreational Facility.

NJIT def. Sacred Heart 4-3
Doubles
1. Ksenia Kuzmenko/Jana Luste(NJIT) def. Katie Derienzo/Lindsey Post(SHU) 8-2
2. Carolina Zanotta/Natalia Melibeu(NJIT) def. Gabi Kaldan/Taylor Gurda(SHU) 8-2
3. Nathalie Habegger/Hannelore MacDonald(NJIT) def. Paige Olson/Nicole Rydzewski(SHU) 8-3

Singles
1. Ksenia Kuzmenko(NJIT) def. katie Derienzo(SHU) 6-5(4), 6-3
2. Natalia Melibeu (NJIT) def. Gabi Kaldan 6-5(8), 6-5(6)
3. Jana Luste(NJIT) def. Lindsey Post(SHU) 5-6(1), 6-4, 10-7
4. Paige Olson(SHU) def. Nathalie Habegger (NJIT) 6-3, 6-1
5. Nicole Rydzewski (SHU) def. Carolina Zanotta (NJIT) 6-1, 5-6(3), 10-6
6. Taylor Gurda(SHU) def. Hannelore MacDonald(NJIT) 6-2, 6-1

Megan Guidry won a practice match against Haley Dubits(SHU) 8-2