The Shippensburg University tennis team began its 2015-16 season on Saturday with a pair of matches around the City of Brotherly Love, dropping a 9-0 decision to Philadelphia and a 7-2 decision to Holy Family. The matches were the first of SU's fall, non-championship portion of the schedule. 

Shippensburg (0-2) received strong efforts in the opener against Philadelphia from senior Brittnee Buckley, who dropped a 6-3, 6-1 decision at No. 1 singles, and from freshman McKensi Washabaugh, who fell 6-3, 6-1 at No. 5 singles. Freshman Gabrielle Binder won a game at No. 2 singles and freshman Hannah Coath took two games at No. 6 singles.

In doubles against the Rams, Bucklee and Binder won a game at No. 1 doubles while freshmen Kaylin Gallagher and Victoria Galanti earned a game at No. 3 singles. 

SU then navigated over to Holy Family, and after its adventurous trip, it earned default wins at No. 3 doubles and No. 6 singles. Among the contested matches, junior Emilie Luttman had a tremendous battle at No. 4 singles, winning seven games but falling 7-5, 6-2. Freshman Bryanna Beamer won five games at No. 5 singles, falling 6-4, 6-1, while senior Emily Cox took two games at No. 3 singles. 

Shippensburg will send representation next weekend to the PSAC Individual Championships at Bloomsburg University.