TAMPA, FL – The Crimson Hawks started off their spring break trip on a positive note as the 41st-ranked IUP women's tennis team defeated Hillsborough Community College 8-1 on Sunday afternoon.

With the win, the Crimson Hawks improved to 5-3 on the season. It was their third consecutive victory, surrendering just three total sets in those victories.

Even in the easy win, Hillsborough played IUP tough on the singles side, coming away with one victory and two matches went three sets.

At No. 3, Sophie Butland (Taunton, Somerset U.K./Bishop Fox's Community School) had IUP's three-set win in singles play, rallying from a 7-6 (7-5) loss with 6-2, 10-5 wins to take the match. Abby McCormick (Bethel Park, Pa. /Bethel Park) fell in the three-setter, taking a 6-0 first set win before 7-5, 10-8 losses in the second spot.

Alanna McFail (Fort Washington, Md. /St. John's College ) got the Crimson Hawks started off in singles, taking a 6-1, 6-0 victory at No. 6. Tanya Timko (Cannonsburg, PA/Chartiers-Houston) followed that up at No. 1 with a 6-2, 6-1 win. Rachel Wood (Nottingham, U.K./West Bridgrord) had a 6-3, 6-0 win at No. 5 and Erika Schnaas (Mexico City, Mexico/Escuela Nacional Preparatoria ) won IUP's fifth singles match, 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 at No. 4.

The Crimson Hawks got out to a 3-0 lead in doubles play with three easy victories. Wood and Ranvita Mahto (Burlington, ON/Robert Bateman) started things off with an 8-1 win at number three while Timko and McCormick had an 8-3 win at number one. Schnaas and Butland had the third IUP doubles win, getting an 8-4 victory at number two.

This is the first of four matches for the Crimson Hawks on their trip to Florida. Tuesday will start a stretch of three matches in three days, with Minnesota State-Moorhead leading off. Rollins and Tampa will follow on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.