FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University women's tennis (7-7, 4-1 MAAC) team was edged by Niagara University this afternoon, 4-3.  Junior captain, Monica Yajima, is the only member of the squad to finish the day 2-0. 
 
After capturing the first doubles match in the one spot, the Stags were unable to come up with a second win for the point.  Monica Yajima and Carolina Koladzyn defeated their opponents, Hansen/Ortiz, 8-2.  The Fairfield duos at No. 2 and No. 3 played tough matches but came up short.  The pairing of Sharissa Ryan and Allison Radde fell, 9-7, followed by Victoria Pirrello and Nikki Jackson dropping, 8-6.
 
The dual went back and forth throughout singles play starting with Yajima topping Hilary Hansen, 6-2, 6-1.  Ashley Ta then regained the lead for Niagara in the three spot, but Fairfield's Jackson defeated her opponent, 6-2, 6-1, at No. 6 singles.  Tied at two apiece, Pirrello fell to the Purple Eagles' Iva Celan while Radde came out on top against Maria Ortiz, 6-2, 6-4.  The final match of the day, No. 2 singles, was played between Sharissa Ryan and Sarah Hellstern.  Ryan captured the first set before dropping in a tough match, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.
 
The Stags closed out the weekend against Manhattan College (5-13, 2-5 MAAC) tomorrow afternoon in Flushing Meadows, N.Y. at 1PM. 
 
 
Doubles
#1. Yajima/Koladzyn (FFD) def. Hansen/Ortiz (NIA) 8-2
#2. Hellstern/Celan (NIA) def. Ryan/Radde (FFD) 9-7
#3. McCune/Ta (NIA) def. Pirrello/Jackson (FFD) 8-6
Order of Finish: 1, 2, 3
 
Singles
#1. Monica Yajima (FFD) def. Hilary Hansen (NIA) 6-2, 6-1
#2. Sarah Hellstern (NIA) def. Sharissa Ryan (FFD) 3-6, 6-4, 6-4
#3. Ashley Ta (NIA) def. Carolina Koladzyn (FFD) 7-6(5), 6-3
#4. Allison Radde (FFD) def. Maria Ortiz (NIA) 6-2, 6-4
#5. Iva Celan (NIA) def. Victoria Pirrello (FFD) 6-4, 6-4
#6. Nikki Jackson (FFD) def. Jenna McCune (NIA) 6-2, 6-1
Order of Finish: 1, 3, 6, 5, 4, 2