GREENSBURG, Pa. – The Mount Aloysius College women's tennis team opened its 2026 season on Saturday afternoon, battling the Pitt-Greensburg Bobcats before ultimately falling 5-2 at the Greensburg Racquet Club.
The match marked the collegiate coaching debut of Mount Aloysius head coach Caren Crago, as the Mounties showed plenty of fight throughout the afternoon against the Bobcats.
Mount Aloysius got off to a strong start in doubles play, earning a victory at No. 3 doubles. Mariah Hall (New Enterprise, Pa., Northern Bedford) and Masie Reed (Shamokin, Pa., Our Lady of Lourdes) cruised to a 6-1 victory over UPG's Jenna Eutsey and Emily Spino to put the Mounties on the board.
At No. 2 doubles, Kaylee Mento (Cresson, Pa., Penn Cambria) and Samara Scott (Claysville, Pa., Central Catholic (W.Va.)) battled Gabi Moder and Jazzy Cherry in a tightly contested match before falling 7-6. Morgan Allen (Johnstown, Pa., Westmont Hilltop) and Lauryn Kitchen (Clearfield, PA, Clearfield) also put up a fight at No. 1 doubles, dropping a 6-4 decision to Karen Rabe and Sophia Lepore.
The Mounties continued to battle in singles action, earning two victories.
At No. 4 singles, Samara Scott picked up a convincing 6-3, 6-4 win over Cherry, while Mariah Hall delivered another strong performance at No. 5 singles, defeating Jessica Garcia 6-1, 6-4.
Allen nearly added another victory at No. 1 singles after winning the opening set 7-6 against UPG's #1 Gabi Moder. The Bobcats' top player responded to take the second set 6-2 before edging Allen 10-6 in the deciding super tiebreaker.
At No. 6 singles, Masie Reed also battled through a three-set match against Spino. Reed claimed the opening set 7-6 before Spino answered with a 6-1 second-set victory and a 10-7 win in the deciding super tiebreaker.
Kitchen and Mento also fought hard in their respective singles matches, with Kitchen falling 6-4, 6-1 to Rabe and Mento dropping a 6-2, 6-1 decision to Lepore.
Despite the 5-2 setback, the Mounties showed plenty of competitiveness in their season opener, highlighted by four individual victories and multiple tightly contested matches.
Mount Aloysius will look to build on Saturday's performance as the Mounties continue their 2026 season.
Next up for women's tennis is at Carlow University next Saturday at 1:00 PM. The match will be played at the Highland Park Tennis Club in Pittsburgh, Pa.
#GoMounties
