STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – The College of Staten Island women's tennis team opened up its season on a hot streak as they pulled out an impressive 5-4 win over William Patterson, Saturday.
 
The Pioneers seemed to be the team to beat after doubles, scoring two wins to take a 2-1 lead. In the first doubles, Sabrina Bragerton-Nasert and Sophia Varriano fell 1-8 to Brittany LaBruna and Kristy Daubet, while Madiha Mulla and Jaqueline Jamaleddine also came up short, 6-8, in the third-doubles. However, the play of Jean Baak and Ilona Soyko shined through in the second-doubles match as the duo registered an 8-4 win over Ashley Vidal and Mary Skretkowicz.
 
Heading into singles play the Dolphins knew they needed to win four out of the next six flights in order to pull out a victory. First up was Bragerton-Nasert, who pulled out a big win in doubles play, but fell 1-6, 1-6 in singles to give WP a 3-1 lead. With little room for error, No. 2 Soyko posted a 6-4, 6-2 win to push the score to 3-2, but a dropped match by No. 3 Varriano (2-6, 4-6) gave the Pioneers a 4-2 lead with just three left to play.
 
The Dolphins knew they had no room for error and they answered the call. CSI took the last three matches with No. 4 Baak posting a convincing 6-0, 6-1 win, followed by No. 5 Mulla beating Caitlin Pariso 6-2, 6-1. It was Jamaleddine at the No. 6 spot who sealed the victory for the Dolphins with a 6-2, 6-2 win.
 
The College of Staten Island returns to action Sept., 11 at 4:30 pm against Farmingdale State College at the CSI Tennis Center.