JOLIET, Ill. --- University of St. Francis opened up the spring portion of its schedule in solid fashion Saturday afternoon defeating St. Ambrose University (Iowa), 6-3, at the Challenge Fitness Tennis Courts. 

USF's underclassmen carried the day with a pair of freshman and a sophomore each coming away with a two victories.

Freshman Alex Haizel (Marist H.S./Oak Lawn, IL) and sophomore Mark Zubov (St. Petersburg H.S./St. Petersburg, Russia) opened play by teaming up for a commanding 8-1 victory at No. 1 doubles.  Zubov then went on to earn an identical 6-4, 6-4 win at No. 1 singles, while Haizel claimed a 6-0, 6-1 decision in the No. 2 spot.

Chad Randall (Lockport H.S./Lockport, IL) was the other first-year Saint to come away with a pair of victories on the afternoon starting with his 8-6 win at No. 3 doubles.  He paired up with junior Nikola Milenkovic (Anglo American School of Belgrade/Belgrade, Serbia) for that victory before earning a come-from-behind 6-7 (6-8), 6-4, 1-0 (10-8) win at No. 5 singles.  Randall trailed 8-7 in the third set tiebreaker of that match before rallying to win.

USF's other victory made history as junior Aaron Sanderson (Joliet Junior College/Joliet, IL) earned his first collegiate win when St. Ambrose's John Rohlf had to retire due to injury after Sanderson won the first set, 7-6 (7-5), of their No. 6 singles match.

The Saints continue winter workouts over the next two weeks before competing in the St. Joseph's College (Ind.) Invite on Feb. 25-26 in Michigan City, Ind.