SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.—The 20^th ranked Skidmore College women's tennis team opened its spring schedule with an 8-1 win over Swarthmore, Saturday at the Wilton YMCA.
 
Melissa Hirsch beat Gayatri Iyengar at number two singles 6-1, 6-1 and combined with Zoe Valella for an 8-3 win at number three doubles.
 
"This was a good spring season opener for us," said Skidmore coach Curt Speerschneider. "All of the matches were competitive so we were able to do a lot of what we've been working on and what we'll need to continue to work on throughout the season.  It's always nice to get that first one in the books as a solid win."
 
The Thoroughbreds (4-0) will host 26^th ranked Vassar on March 1 at 2 p.m.
 
Doubles
1. Lee Ford/Madie Benn defeated Lia Carlson/ Alli Wong 8-1
2. Alex Smith/Rachel Plevinsky defeated Brooke Wilkins/Katie Samuelson 8-5
3. Melissa Hirsch/Zoe Valella defeated Olivia Cheng/Gayatri Iyengar 8-3

Singles
1. Lee Ford lost to Lia Carlson 7-6 (7-5), 6-4
2. Melissa Hirsch defeated Gayatri Iyengar 6-1, 6-1
3. Madie Benn defeated Alli Wong 6-1, 6-0
4. Robyn Baird defeated Katie Samuelson 6-7 (2-7), 6-1, 10-7
5. Monique Carlson defeated Olivia Cheng 6-2, 7-6 (10-8)
6. Caroline Hobbs defeated Brooke Wilkins 6-0, 6-2