WEST HAVEN, Conn. – Without surrendering a point, the University of New Haven women's tennis team opened up its 2024 campaign in impressive fashion with a 7-0 shutout of the Franklin Pierce Ravens on Friday afternoon at the UNH Tennis Courts.

The Chargers took early control of the match with three commanding victories in doubles. In the No. 1 position it was the familiar pairing of Valentinna Ferrarini (Caxias do Sul, Brazil) and Karim Carreras (Asuncion, Paraguay/Colegio Bautista de Villa Morra) that secured the victory with a 6-2 decision, while Risako Umekuni (Saitama, Japan/Shumei Eiko) joined her new sidekick, Victoria Togores (Canary Islands, Spain/Colegio Hispano Ingles), to earn a 6-4 decision.

Two new faces to the Chargers lineup, Leni Bischof (Aigen, Austria/BRG Stainach) and Laura Ortner (Schlierbach, Austria/BRG Kirchdorf), rounded out doubles action with a 6-2 victory in the No. 3 spot.

Togores would follow up her doubles victory with the most convincing victory in singles action as she surrendered just a single point (6-0, 6-1) to her opponent, Maria Paz Diaz Florentin at No. 4 singles. Agustina Ravera (Miramar, Fla./Broward Virtual School) followed in the No. 6 spot, surrendering three points (6-2, 6-1) to her opponent, Ana Munoz.

Both Ferrarini and Carreras posted shutouts in their second sets at first and second doubles, respectively. Ferrarini opened up her singles action with a 6-4 decision to Aynara Ferraz before the second-set shutout. At second singles, Carreras was tested a bit in her first set, earning a 7-5 victory before bouncing back to post the 6-0 shutout in the second set.

Umekuni (6-3, 6-2) and Ortner (7-5, 6-2) rounded out the singles action for the Chargers.

After moving its match scheduled for Sunday, September 8 to later in October, the Chargers will enjoy an extra rest, now returning to action on Wednesday, September 11 with a non-conference match scheduled against Molloy. The afternoon match-up in West Hempstead, N.Y. is scheduled for a 2:00 p.m. start.