FAIRFIELD, Conn. - The LIU Brooklyn women's tennis team suffered its first Northeast Conference loss of the season, falling to Sacred Heart on Wednesday, 5-2.

LIU began the match on a high note, taking the No. 1 doubles set. The freshman/senior duo of Anna Grigoryan and Caroline Koenigsfeldt defeated the Sacred Heart pair of Katie DeRienzo and Taylor Gurda, 6-3.

But the Blackbirds were unable to notch the double point, after falling in No. 2 and No. 3 spot.

Trying to earn the necessary amount of points in singles action, freshman Malin Leysen and junior Isabella Wagener earned a win in the No. 3 and No. 6 spot, respectively. Leysen took her set over Olivia Podsiebierski, 6-1, 6-1. While Wagener came out on top against Claudia Ruiz, 6-3, 6-4.

Despite strong play and close action down the lineup, the Blackbirds fell in the No. 1, 2, 4 and 5 single spots, and the Pioneers clinched a match victory. 

"We had our opportunities at singles, being up 5-0 and 5-2 in a couple of sets that we didn't win, but we could capitalize," head coach Rose Ketmayura said. "We couldn't close the games or sets to pull out the match."

The Blackbirds fall to 1-1 in the NEC, and 1-10 overall after the setback. The team will continue NEC competition at home this Saturday, April 2. LIU will host Bryant at the USTA Tennis Center beginning at 8:00 p.m.

LIU Brooklyn 2, Sacred Heart 5
Doubles
1. Anna Grigoryan/Caroline Koenigsfeldt (LIU) def. Katie DeRienzo/Taylor Gurda (SHU), 6-3
2. Paige Olson/Lindsey Post (SHU) def. Malin Leysen/Isabella Wagener (LIU), 6-2
3. Olivia Podsiebierski/Claudia Ruiz (SHU) def. Rianne van Son/Meriam Rhallab (LIU), 6-3

Singles
1. Katie DeRienzo (SHU) def. Anna Grigoryan (LIU), 7-5, 6-7 (1) (11-9)
2. Paige Olson (SHU) def. Caroline Koenigsfeldt (LIU), 7-5, 6-1
3. Malin Leysen (LIU) def. Olivia Podsiebierski (SHU), 6-1, 6-1
4. Taylor Gurda (SHU) def. Rianne van Son (LIU), 6-3, 6-2
5. Lindsey Post (SHU) def. Meriam Rhallab (LIU), 7-6 (1), 6-4
6. Isabella Wagener (LIU) def. Claudia Ruiz (SHU), 6-3, 6-4