MANCHESTER, Conn.-After picking up the squad's first win of the Spring Season on Valentine's Day, the Fairfield University women's tennis team returned to the courts on Saturday taking on the Bulldogs of Bryant University in a non-conference match held at Magic Lincer in Manchester, Connecticut, and the visiting Bulldogs edged the Stags, 4-3.  With Saturday's result, Fairfield stands at 1-7 so far in the 2025 season; while Bryant evens its season mark at 2-2.

All three of Fairfield's wins came in singles play on Saturday, as the Stags won at number one, two and three, but after winning the doubles' point, Bryant earned the match victory by posting victories at singles' flights four through six.

Freshman Victoria Mandma picked up a three-set win at number one singles, as did sophomore Anna Neyestani at number two.  Mandma won her match, 6-3, 3-6, 6-2; while Neyestani prevailed over her opponent in comeback fashion, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1.

Sophomore Nicolette Loeffler captured her match at number three in straight sets, 7-5, 6-3.

Classmate Lily Malinowski battled at number four but fell in three sets, 5-7, 6-4, 3-6.

Said head coach Jeff Bricker, "We battled but lost the big points to Bryant. We are making good strides and these tough losses will help us as we build as we head toward conference play. I'm happy with the fight on the team!"

The Fairfield women's tennis team is back in action on Tuesday, March 11 when the Stags open a three-match Spring Break trip to Florida with a match in Orlando against the University of North Dakota.