LOCKPORT, Ill. --- University of St. Francis opened the home portion of its campaign with its strongest outing of the young season defeating Benedictine University, 9-0, at the Challenge Fitness Tennis Courts Wednesday afternoon.

The Fighting Saints (4-1) opened by sweeping their three doubles matches before cruising in singles play. Each of the six singles matches went the minimum two sets with only sophomore Danielle Emola's (Lincoln-Way East H.S./Frankfort, IL) matchup at the No. 2 spot requiring a tiebreaker in the first set of an eventual 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 victory.

Emola was one of five Saints to gain a pair of victories on the day. Freshman Katie Kipping (Newman Central Catholic H.S./Sterling, IL) improved to a perfect 5-0 at the No. 1 singles position with a 6-1, 6-0 victory before teaming up with Emola for an 8-4 win at No. 1 doubles.

Senior Carla Braun (Lincoln-Way Central H.S./New Lenox, IL) also was a double winner on the day, first paired up with junior Emily Zajda (Joliet Catholic Academy/Plainfield, IL) at No. 2 doubles and then at No. 5 singles.

Junior Corinne Lutz (Morris H.S./Minooka, IL) and junior Barb Koziol (Reavis H.S./Burbank, IL) closed out doubles play with an 8-4 victory before winning their respective singles matches at Nos. 3 and 6.

Sophomore Agnieszka Belza (Nazareth Academy/Chicago, IL) landed USF's other singles win, 6-0, 6-1, in the No. 4 position.

Next up for the Saints is a trip to Fayette, Iowa to compete in the Upper Iowa University Tournament on Saturday and Sunday.