MEN'S BOX SCORE
WOMEN'S BOX SCORE

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - Although it does not show up on the scoreboard, the Hartford tennis teams put together two strong efforts on Saturday afternoon against local rival Sacred Heart, falling in tightly-contested matches to the Pioneers. The men and women each lost by 7-0 counts, although head coach Michael Raymond found a lot to be pleased with in his team's efforts.

"The scores absolutely do not reflect how competitive each mach was," Raymond remarked. "We are becoming a program that believes it can contend with the mid-major powers in our area, and it is only a matter of time before we break through."

The day got off to a good start for the Hartford men's squad, as Aneil Bhalla and Josh Isaacson stormed out to an 8-3 victory at No. 1 doubles. After dropping the match at No. 3 doubles, the Hawks had a chance for the doubles point with their No. 2 team, Marco Neves and Bogdan Nedelcu. The teams seesawed back and forth before Sacred Heart snuck away with a tense, 9-8 (8-6) victory and the doubles point.

In singles, the Hawks had several closely-contended matches, but could not break through for a point. Josh Isaacson had the best performance at No. 3 singles, falling to Chris Ujkic, 6-4, 6-4. Bhalla at No. 1 singles and Neves at No. 2 also put up strong efforts, but dropped their matches by identical 6-3, 6-3 scores.

At No. 6 singles, Edgardo Ureta bounced back from a 6-1 loss in the first set to compete hard in his second set. He, too, would fall, though, losing ot Luka Bagi 6-1, 6-3.

Nedelcu at No. 4 and Joel de los Santos at No. 5 each dropped 6-3, 6-0 decisions in their matches.

On the women's side, the Pioneers swept the doubles point, with the best performance from the Hawks coming at No. 1 doubles, where Katina Zampas and Maggie Sabatino fell, 8-3. Zampas had the strongest effort in singles as well, falling at No. 1 singles by a 6-3, 7-5 count to Kate Donnelly.

Sabatino, meanwhile, dropped her match at No. 2 singles, 6-3, 6-1.

Playing at No. 5 singles, Kaitlin Lennon had a strong first set, falling 6-4 before dropping the second set, 6-1. Nicole Haynal at No. 3 and Haley Gileau at No. 6 each lost their matches by 6-0, 6-1 scores, while Ashley Harel fell at No. 4, 6-0, 6-0.

Hartford will be back in action on Sunday at the Hartford Tennis Courts, taking on Hofstra at noon. Admission is free and open to the public.