The New York University women's tennis team kicked off the spring portion of its 2009-10 schedule on Saturday, falling to Swarthmore College, 5-4. 

Winning singles matches for the Violets were Elizabeth Stachtiaris, Lena Krups and Ariel Sultan. In doubles, Stachtiaris and Sultan topped Alexis Hickman and Luann Cignavitch, 8-5.

"It was a very tough loss. Close decisions are always difficult to take," said NYU head coach Horace Choy. "But we had our opportunities. It came down to third singles with Flora (Lee) and that match was decided in the third set. Second doubles was very close as well, and Alexa (Wimes) was very competitive at first singles. Any one of those matches could've turned things around for us."

"Overall, we played well at times, but were a bit uneven," Choy continued. "I think with more match play, that will iron itself out. For an early season match, we played well, but it's disappointing to lose."

The Violets will be back on the courts Feb. 27 at The College of New Jersey.

"(TCNJ) has one of their stronger teams in a while, and they're always strong," said Choy. "I expect them to be a top 10-type team, so we're not getting much of a break with them. We'll have to be ready."

Results

FINAL SCORE
Swarthmore 5, NYU 4

Doubles
1- Wallwork/Rosenblum (Swat) def. Alexa Wimes/Flora Lee (NYU), 5-2
2- DuBrin/Chia (Swat) def. Lena Krups/Lisa Mijovic (NYU), 9-8 (5)
3- Liz Stachtiaris/Ariel Sultan (NYU) def. Hickman/Cignavitch (Swat), 8-5

Singles
1- Wallwork (Swat) def. Wimes (NYU), 6-3, 7-5
2- Stachtiaris (NYU) def. Rosenblum (Swat), 6-3, 7-5
3- Rosie DuBrin (Swat) def. Lee (NYU), 6-4, 4-6, 6-2
4- Krups (NYU) def. Cignavitch (Swat), 6-4, 6-3
5- Chia (Swat) def. Mijovic (NYU), 6-0, 6-3
6- Sultan (NYU) def. Hickman (Swat), 6-4, 6-0