HAVERFORD, Pa. – Playing its first match of the spring season, the Haverford College women's tennis team picked up three singles victories against Salisbury, but fell 6-3 on the strength of the Sea Gulls' doubles teams. Salisbury (5-1) was ranked No. 11 in the latest Atlantic South Regional ITA Rankings, while the Fords were No. 15 in the latest release.

The Fords played tightly contested doubles matches and put themselves in position to possibly steal at least two team points away before singles play started. However, Salisbury pulled out a pair of 8-6 wins at No. 1 doubles (Caitlin Gallagher/Robyn Himelstein) and No. 2 doubles (Abby Payson/Greta Koch). The Sea Gulls also notched an 8-2 victory in the final doubles slot.

However, the Fords' fate in the close matches began to turn around at the start of the singles competition as both Himelstein and Payson pulled out decisive three-set wins. Himelstein, playing No. 3 singles, took her opening set 6-2. After a 6-3 setback, she came fighting back with a 7-5 win in the deciding set. Payson took a convincing 6-1 opening set win at No. 4 singles. She was edged out, 7-5, in the middle set, but took down her match with a 6-4 win in the decisive set.

The Fords also played tough at the top two singles spots. Gallagher nearly forced a third match to go to a third set as she was edged in her second set, 6-4. Koch, playing No. 2, dropped a pair of hard-fought 7-5 sets in her home debut.

With the team score decided, No. 5 and No. 6 singles played eight-game pro sets. Jessica Liu was victorious in her match at No. 5. She triumphed with an 8-6 victory at that position. However, Courtney Ahmed had an 8-6 score turned against her in a back-and-fourth match at No. 6 singles.

Women's tennis will now get set for its trip to the Sunshine State during the College's spring break. While in Orlando, Fla., the team is scheduled to play seven matches over the course of four competition dates. The first of those matches will be this coming Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. against Winona State.