LAKELAND, Fla. – The Saint Leo women’s tennis team (7-14) fell to the No. 2-ranked Lynn University Fighting Knights (20-2) 5-0, in the opening round of the Sunshine State Conference Tournament (Hosted by Florida Southern) Wednesday evening from the Dave Beerman Tennis Facility in Lakeland, Fla.

The Lions dropped each of their three doubles matches, before falling in at No. 3 and 5 singles to complete the 5-0 shutout. The remaining four matches went unfinished.

The No. 3 doubles tandem of Christine Clyne and Gina Schifano gave their Lions their best shot at victory. But, the Fighting Knights duo proved to be too much as they closed the match 8-2 winners.

On the singles side, Clyne and Chloe Andersson fell by the identical scores of 6-0, 6-1.

The loss bumps the Lions into the back draw where they will play Nova Southeastern. The Sharks fell to the host Moccasins earlier in the day. SLU and Nova will take to the court for a 2:00 p.m. first serve. All matches are taking place at Florida Southern and the Dave Beerman Tennis Facility.