MEDIA, Pa. - Penn State Harrisburg's women's tennis team opened up United East Conference play with a 6-1 victory over Penn State Brandywine on Saturday afternoon, March 21.


The visiting Lions (2-3, 1-0 United East) swept all three doubles matches to set the tone for the remainder of the singles contests. Kiersten Strohecker and Ava Shepps earned the 7-5 win over Sydney Mabry and Samma Zahran in the top pairing, while Megan Strohecker and Karly Anderson left no doubt in a 6-0 victory over Adelaide Etshman and Mari Gvelesiani in the No. 2 contest. In the final doubles match, Aubrey Gard and Karina Ko topped Hope Priemon and Natalie DiMario 6-2.


Penn State Brandywine (2-4, 0-1 United East) got their lone point of the day thanks to a 6-0, 6-0 top spot victory by Zahran against Shepps. However, Penn State Harrisburg took control of the rest of the singles matchups to eventually earn the overall conference win. In the No. 2 slot, K. Strohecker swept Mabry 6-0, 6-0 and Anderson beat Gvelesiani 6-0, 6-2 in the third pairing. M. Strohecker swiped the No. 4 match 6-2, 6-2 over Sofia Guzman, Ko topped Priemon 6-4, 6-1, and Rosalia Mannino impressed in the No. 6 spot with a 6-1, 6-1 decision over DiMario.


Penn State Harrisburg is set to host Alvernia on Tuesday afternoon, March 24 for a non-conference match at the Hoverter Tennis Complex.


Fans can keep up with Penn State Harrisburg men's and women's tennis all season long on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) by following the Lions using the handle @pshbgtennis.