HAVERFORD, Pa. – The Haverford College women's tennis team opened the season with a 5-4 non-conference victory over visiting New York University at The Gary Lutnick Tennis & Track Center on Saturday evening.

Playing at No. 5 singles in the final match of the contest, senior Celia Tong shook off a 6-2 loss in set one and claimed sets two and three (6-3, 6-4) to deliver the winning point of the overall match.

The Fords (1-0) moved out to a 2-1 lead after doubles due to victories by the second and third pairings. Freshman Robyn Himelstein and senior Rachal Torg, playing at No. 2 doubles, earned the first point of the afternoon with an 8-6 victory over Mari Tzakis and Alexandra Ziarko. Tong and Kristen Andersen, at No. 3, followed with a 9-7 win over Jazmin Colling and Rebecca Kumar. The Violets (0-1), tied for 20th in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Northeast Region, registered an 8-4 win at first doubles.

Himelstein continued her strong play in singles action as she outlasted Tzakis in a three-set battle (7-6(4), 4-6, 6-2).

Also engaging in a tough three-set match was Caitlin Gallagher at No. 1 singles. Gallagher provided Haverford, ranked 18th in the ITA's Atlantic South Region, with its fourth point of the day with a 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 win that set the stage for Tong's match-clinching victory.

The Fords continue their non-conference slate in Florida over spring break beginning with a match-up against Albion College on March 11.