NEWARK, NJ–The NJIT women's tennis team opened its 2024 campaign, competing at the Villanova Invitational against Temple, Delaware and host Villanova. 

"This is the second year we have participated in the Villanova Invite and it is the perfect way to start the fall season," said head coach Patricia Piorkowski McDonald.  "We had strong competitive match play against Villanova, Temple and Delaware.  All players got a chance to test their skills against some of the top players in the area."

The Highlanders won five of eight singles matches at Villanova, highlighted by Laura Wipfli, who had a great victory against a very strong number one player, Sophia Edwards from Villanova, 3-6 6-1 10-3.  

Shalom Salvi won in straight sets defeating Villanova's Maddie Hill, 6-1, 6-2 while Paula Menendez Alvarez topped Jenna Stevens 7-6 (7-4), 6-2.    Lusia Hepcal Barcan came out on top in a three-set tilt against Savie Seebald, 6-2, 5-7, 10-6 and Petra Koszo, competing in her first collegiate match of her career, winning in straight sets, 6-1, 6-0 over Chloe Floyd.

Salvi and Feyza Aydin registered wins in singles competition against Temple.  Salvi won in straight sets 6-3, 6-2 over Maria Wang Martinez and Aydin went the distance picking up a 2-6, 6-2, 10-4 victory over Aditi Vaidya.

Wipfli and Salvi both competed in a three-set tilt against Delaware, coming up short for the Highlanders.

Next Up
NJIT will return to action this weekend when the Highlanders compete at the Army West Point Invitational (Sept. 27-29).

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