SAN FRANCISCO – The 2020 Academy of Art women's tennis season began with a dominant 7-0 victory over Holy Names out at Bay Club SF Tennis on Friday morning. Five of the six singles wins came in straight sets as the No. 19 Urban Knights started on a confident note.

Beginning with doubles, senior Mariacristina Andrisani and sophomore Sofia Ragona combined to defeat Raia Jagger and Symone Jacques 6-1 in the first position while the freshman tandem of Julia Ortega and Ella Lynn-Browne swept Sarah Kellogg and Yajaira Torres 6-0 to secure the doubles point.

Singles action saw Andrisani top Stephanie Huang 6-4, 6-4 in the first spot while her doubles teammate Ragona rallied back from to defeat Jaques 3-6, 7-6, 10-8 at number two. Just eight games were surrendered in the three through six positions as freshman Aitana Comas Adam topped Jagger 6-0, 6-3, freshman Maria Vittoria Casucci bested Anna Hoerter 6-0, 6-1, Ortega put away Kellogg 6-0, 6-2, and Lynn-Browne won 6-2, 6-0 against Torres.

"Starting with Holy Names, our team did a fantastic job handing our opponents in terms of staying active, moving their feet, and approaching the net," said head coach Clarisse Baca. "I was very happy with the performance of all the freshmen. The first matches as a freshman are always challenging no matter who you are playing, but they just came out with a lot of energy and were ready to compete."

Academy of Art will continue its season-opening stretch of three matches in three days tomorrow when ART U hosts Fresno Pacific for a 10 a.m. contest at Bay Club SF Tennis.