Box Score SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Saint Leo women's tennis team, ranked ninth nationally by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA), was unable to upset Nova Southeastern, ranked third nationally by the ITA, on Sunday. The No. 3 Sharks escaped the No. 9 Lions, 5-2, in the Green and Gold's season home opener.
 
The No. 3 Sharks swept doubles play for the point advantage heading into singles action.
 
Saint Leo battled straight into five tiebreaker sets against Nova Southeastern. The Lions took the first and fifth singles matches in Molly Helgesson and Celina Ermann. Helgesson, at first singles, topped her opponent in a first set tiebreaker, 7-6 (4), and rolled through her second set, 6-3,. Ermann took the long way home clinching a 14-12 first set tiebreaker. The Nuremberg, Germany product didn't mess around in set two, registering a 6-3 decision.
 
 
Results by Lineup
Doubles
Natalie Espinal and Chantal Nosievici def. Molly Helgesson and Lavinia Lancellotti (6-4)
Daniela Obando and Isabella Lowrey def. Nina Furmaniak and Takhmina Zhanatova (6-3)
Karolina Snita and Diane Follin-Arbelet def. Marta Vicens Miquel and Celina Ermann (6-2)
 
 
Singles
Molly Helgesson def. Natalie Espinal (7-6 (4), 6-3)
Karolina Snita def. Marta Vicens Miquel (6-3, 0-6)
Daniela Obando def. Nina Furmaniak (1-6, 6-4, 6-3)
Chantal Nosievici def. Lavinia Lancellotti (6-2, 4-6, 6-3)
Celina Ermann def. Diane Follin-Arbelet (7-6 (14-12), 6-3)
Celia Montero def. Ashley Griffith (7-6 (1), 7-5)
 
 
Up Next
Saint Leo will travel to Rollins on Wednesday for its first match on the road. The Lions and Tars' first serve is slated for 4 p.m.
 
 
For the latest news, updates, and information on the Saint Leo women's basketball, be sure to visit SaintLeoLions.com. Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Lions news by following Saint Leo Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
 
 
Keeping Our Lions Healthy & Safe
Saint Leo University Athletics is keeping our student-athletes healthy and safe by following a number of measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This includes having student-athletes tested or screened on a regular basis, traveling in smaller groups, holding competitions without fans in attendance, avoiding overnight trips, and wearing masks when not competing. These safety standards meet those set by the NCAA Division II and the Sunshine State Conference President's Council. At Saint Leo University, the COVID-19 Incident Command Team also reviews the teams' safety protocol and monitors adherence on a regular basis.