PITTSBURGH, Pa. - The Mount Aloysius College women's tennis team picked up its first victory of the 2026 season Saturday afternoon, defeating Carlow University 4-3 on the road at Alpha Tennis. The win marked the first of the season for the Mounties and the first collegiate victory for head coach Caren Crago, who is in her first season leading the program.
Mount Aloysius got off to a strong start in doubles play, taking victories at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles to secure the opening point of the match. Morgan Allen (Johnstown, Pa., Westmont Hilltop) and Lauryn Kitchen (Clearfield, PA, Clearfield) cruised to a 6-1 victory at No. 1 doubles over Elle Duda and Lyric Knepshield, while Kaylee Mento (Cresson, Pa., Penn Cambria) and Samara Scott (Claysville, Pa., Central Catholic (W.Va.) followed with a 6-2 win at No. 2 doubles against Madelyn Straw and Brianna Fields.
Mariah Hall (New Enterprise, Pa., Northern Bedford) and Quinn Sampeer battled Gabbie Polce and Reagan Redford to a 6-6 tie at No. 3 doubles.
With the Mounties holding a 1-0 advantage heading into singles, Kitchen continued her strong afternoon with a straight-set victory at No. 2 singles. She defeated Duda 6-2, 6-4 to give Mount Aloysius a 2-0 lead.
Carlow answered with victories at No. 1 and No. 3 singles, but the Mounties responded with two more wins to secure the match.
Scott delivered a dominant performance at No. 4 singles, cruising past Leah Hartman 6-2, 6-1. Sampeer then clinched the team victory at No. 6 singles with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Fields.
Hall fell to Straw 6-3, 6-2 at No. 5 singles, while Allen battled Cruise at No. 1 singles before falling 7-5, 6-3.
The Mounties' strong doubles start and four singles victories proved to be enough, as Mount Aloysius earned the 4-3 team victory. Saturday's win gives Mount Aloysius its first victory of the young 2026 campaign while providing a memorable milestone for Crago in her first season at the helm.
The Mounties will look to build on the victory as they continue their 2026 season Tuesday at Penn State Altoona. First serve will be at 4 p.m. at the Adler Athletic Complex.
#GoMounties
