TRUMBULL, Conn.-After opening their 2024 season on the final day of January, the Fairfield women's tennis team (0-2) returned to the courts on Saturday evening at the Tennis Club of Trumbull, and the host Stags were defeated by the visiting Stony Brook University Seawolves (1-2), 5-2.

After opening play with the visitors taking the doubles point as two of the three matches went to tiebreakers, Fairfield earned two singles victories on Saturday as graduate student Francesca Karman, the reigning MAAC Player of the Week, remained unbeaten this spring with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 win playing in the number four position, and freshman Lily Malinowski dominated her opponent at number five with a 6-2, 6-0 triumph.

Three other singles matches went the distance on Saturday night, as sophomore Sarah Liu, playing at number one, senior Katarina Plumtree at number two, plus sophomore Meg Harding at number six, fell in three, hard-fought sets.

Said head coach Jeff Bricker, "It was a tough loss tonight. We battled in singles and almost made the comeback but came up short. The doubles point was crucial as always. We have some time to work on some things before our next match. We will be ready!"

The Stags are slated to return to action on Saturday, February 24 when Fairfield opens a weekend trip to Rhode Island facing Providence College.  First serve in the Ocean State is set for 4:00 p.m.