TRUMBULL, Conn. – Katarina Plumtree saved match point at #4 singles as part of a third-set rally to clinch Thursday's win for Fairfield University Women's Tennis against Sacred Heart, 4-3, at the Tennis Club of Trumbull. Lize-Alet Morkel and Sarah Liu also earned singles wins for the Stags.
 
With the win, Fairfield improves to 3-5 in dual matches. Sacred Heart sees its five-match winning streak come to an end, falling to 7-2. Thursday's match was a home contest for the Stags, though both clubs utilize TCT for home outings during the indoor portion of the slate.
 
"Congratulations to Katarina for saving match point and clinching it for us at #4. She played disciplined tennis throughout and earned a tough victory," said Head Coach Jeff Bricker. "We set the table today with some strong doubles play, which was good to see after our last match. This was a great way to head off to spring break."
 
The Stags gained the early advantage in doubles play as Liu and Paulina Bakaite rolled to a 6-0 win at #1 doubles followed by Morkel and Francesca Karman clinching the point with a 6-1 win in the #2 flight. Laina Campos and Lucie Tuttle held a 4-2 lead at #3 doubles, but their match went unfinished after Fairfield locked up the pivotal point.
 
Sacred Heart earned the win at #1 singles to tie the match before Morkel wrapped up the #2 match (6-4, 6-1) to push the Stags back in front. Liu followed suit with a 6-3, 6-3 win at #3 singles to bring Fairfield one win away from a team victory. The Pioneers hung tough with a three-set win in the #6 flight and a marathon two-setter at #5, tying the match at 3-3.
 
The contest came down to #4 singles, where Plumtree battled back after dropping the first set, saving a match point along the way en route to a 2-6, 6-4, 7-5 triumph.
 
Up next for the Stags is a trip to Orlando for matches with South Dakota, Fairleigh Dickinson and Marquette. Action comes to campus for the first time since the fall semester on Thursday, March 23 when Fairfield hosts Providence at 3 p.m. at the WAC Outdoor Courts.