SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – The Shippensburg University women's tennis team was triumphant in its home opener on Saturday, defeating Messiah, 5-2, on a hot and sunny afternoon at Robb Sports Complex.
 
Shippensburg (1-1) outlasted Messiah (0-1) in a match that lasted almost four hours and had three singles matches go into a third set.
 
Freshman Jade Miller claimed her first-ever victories in No. 4 singles (6-1, 6-1) and teamed with junior Corinne Markovich for her first doubles win. Miller and Markovich defeated the Falcons' No. 2 pair of Kiara Bombay and Jocelyn Valdez by a 6-4 score.
 
Sophomore Ava Kalist achieved her second straight victory singles, this time winning at No. 5 singles with a 7-6 (7-4), 6-1 triumph over Izzy Ipri. Kalist teamed up with senior Kendall Winters for the win at No. 3 doubles, 6-1, which clinched the doubles point for the Raiders.
 
At No. 3 singles, sophomore Rachel Gallagher recovered from a setback in the opening set (2-6) to win the next two sets, 6-3 and 6-4. Gallagher claimed the victory over opponent Bella Heckman.
 
The Raiders' last win of the day came from sophomore Brinley Orris at No. 6 singles. Orris opened with a 6-2 win, dropped the second set 2-6, and won played her opponent Katelyn Good into a tiebreaker, which she won 8-6.  
 
Senior Brooklynn Rupert won the first set at No. 2 singles but ultimately fell in three sets; Kylie Walker won 1-6, 6-3, 6-1.
 
Messiah got wins from Kiara Bombay and Walker in No. 1 and No. 2 singles, respectively.
 
SU travels to Clarion on Wednesday for a 4 p.m. match against the Golden Eagles.