HAVERFORD, Pa. - The Haverford College women's tennis team opened the season with a hard-fought, 5-4, win over Salisbury University on Saturday at the Gary Lutnick Tennis & Track Center in Alumni Field House.

Celia Tong, at No. 5, delivered the team victory for the Fords (1-0) by outlasting Allison Lutz 6-2, 5-7, and 6-2  in the last match of the day. The Sea Gulls, ranked No.12 in the fall Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) ranking, fall to 1-1 on the season.

Playing at No. 1 singles, Alex Ferrara came back strong after dropping the first set to win a marathon 3-7, 7-5, 7-5 match that lasted more than three hours. Kate Donches, at No. 3, also rallied from a one set deficit to earn a 5-7, 6-1, 6-3 victory. Earlier in the day Donches teamed with Alyssa Lavin at No. 3 doubles to give Haverford its lone win of the day in doubles competition.

Freshman Caitlin Gallagher, at No. 2, rolled in straight sets to earn her first collegiate win and give the Fords their initial point in singles competition on the day.

Haverford, ranked 19th in the final ITA fall ranking, does not return to action until Mar. 5 when it takes on Meredith (N.C.) College and The College of New Jersey on the initial day of spring break competition in Orlando, Fla.