WILKES-BARRE, PA (September 8, 2018) -- The King's College women's tennis team played host to seven teams Saturday afternoon in the 2018-19 season opener for the Monarchs, competing in the King's College Invitational from Kirby Park. 

The Monarchs faired well on Saturday, seeing six players advance into the semifinals of their respective flights while sophomore Emily Fernandez was a finalist at the No. 1 position. 

Fernandez started the days festivities with an 8-0 blanking of Geetika Bahtia, followed by another 8-0 win over Allison Mattucci from Misericordia. In the finals, Fernandez battled Nastashia DuNinzio well but dropped an 8-6 decision in the top flight title match. 

The No. 2 flight saw Martina Gale earn an 8-6 win over Lizza Gonzalez of Manhattanville, before dropping a match to Emilia Jakubek of Scranton in the semifinals. The No. 3 singles draw saw Alyssa Santarelli defeat Elizabeth Baddoo of Cabrini 8-1. In an exciting match, Santarelli just missed earning a spot in the finals with a 9-7 loss to Abagail Ransom of Susquehanna. 

In No. 4 singles, Thea Seasock dropped a nailbiter, falling to Caroline Armknecht 8-6 in the quarterfinals. Alexis Zalutko was knocked off in the quarterfinals to Nicole Joers of Misericordia 8-5. 

The No. 6 draw saw freshman Mikayla Reynolds win her first collegiate match, defeating Lauren Fitzgerald of Manhattanville 8-1. Reynolds played well in the semifinals but was topped by Isabella Ferrari of Susquehanna, 8-2. 

The final draw of the afternoon saw Cailyn Hillier top Sarah Pagnanelli from Marywood in a tie-breaker, 9-8, as she earned the victory with a 7-2 score in the extra session. Diana Rodriguez also won her match in the No. 7 draw 8-1. In the semifinals, Hillier dropped her outing to Kristen Denniston of Scranton, and teammate Rodriguez was topped by Julia Kuhns-Baione. 

The doubles draw was cancelled due to weather, as was Sunday's entire second day of action. King's will have a few weeks off before hosting Keystone College Sunday, September 23.