LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. – With a five-win singles round in addition to nabbing the doubles point earlier in the day, Fairfield University women's tennis opened the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference season with a 6-1 victory on the road at Rider.

"The women came out and took care of business today," said Head Coach Jeff Bricker. "We need to keep the momentum rolling into next weekend at home."

Fairfield opened the day by taking the doubles' topflight in dominating fashion as Paulina Bakaite and Sarah Liu teamed up for a 6-1 victory, which was followed by a 6-2 win in the No. 3 contests from Laina Campos and Lucie Tuttle to clinch the doubles round for the Stags.

In singles, Lize-Alet Morkel dropped just one game in the No. 2 duel on the way to a 6-1, 6-0 win, followed by Sarah Liu who impressed as well with a 6-2, 6-1 performance in the No. 3 spot. Bakaite was the next to finish, picking up a straight set victory in the topflight to sweep the day for herself with a 6-3, 6-1 win, with Katarina Plumtree winning in consecutive sets as well, 6-2, 6-2. Aina March would secure a sixth point for the Stags at No. 5 singles with a 6-2, 6-4 win as the Stags improve to 5-8 and take a 1-0 MAAC record into next weekend's homestand.

Fairfield women's tennis is back in action for a pair of matches Apr. 1-2 when they return home for senior day weekend at the WAC Tennis Courts.