INDIANA, PA – The 44th-ranked IUP women's tennis team secured a 7-2 victory over Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West opponent Mercyhurst on Tuesday afternoon.
 
The Crimson Hawks extended their winning streak to four matches and now own a 10-5  overall record and a 3-0 mark in the division this season, sitting only behind California (PA) in the regional rankings. Mercyhurst, who is ranked fifth in the Atlantic Region, drops to 10-4 (2-2).
 
The Crimson Hawks got started early during doubles play and never looked back. No. 1 Tanya Timko (Cannonsburg, PA/Chartiers-Houston) and Erika Schnaas (Mexico City, Mexico/Escuela Nacional Preparatoria ) earned the first victory of the day. As partners, it was just their fourth match together on the year as they defeated the sixth ranked team in the region by a score of 8-2.
 
Shortly after, No. 3 Rachel Wood (Nottingham, U.K./West Bridgrord) and Ranvita Mahto (Burlington, ON/Robert Bateman) picked up an 8-5 victory. The Crimson Hawks then closed out doubles play when No. 2 Sophie Butland (Taunton, Somerset U.K./Bishop Fox's Community School) and Alanna McFail (Fort Washington, Md. /St. John's College ) earned the third team point of the day. The duo, who is ranked 10th in the region, fought for a close 8-6 win.
 
After jumping out to a 3-0 lead, the Crimson Hawks grabbed four out of the six singles matches. No. 1 Timko made it look easy today against her opponent, who is actually ranked two spots higher than Timko in the region at No. 6.  She was the second to finish, with a quick 6-2, 6-2 win. McFail, playing at No. 6, was the first Crimson Hawk to finish her singles match. She only dropped three games, winning 6-2, 6-1.
 
No. 3 Schnaas was the only Crimson Hawk to play three sets today. After dropping her first set, 1-6, she was able to remain calm and take the next two, 6-4, 10-7. Wood also made quick work of her opponent, sailing to a 6-3, 6-1 victory.
 
Butland, who played a tough tiebreak in the first set, suffered a loss today 6-7(5-7), 2-6, at No.5.  The other Crimson Hawk to drop her match today was No. 4 Mahto. She fell 4-6, 3-6.
 
The Crimson Hawks take a day off tomorrow, before they travel to Slippery Rock on Thursday at 3:30 p.m. Timko will face a tough opponent, as The Rock's No. 1 player has not lost a Division II singles match yet this season.