LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Freshman Ella O'Malley (Auckland, New Zealand/Kristin School) won at both singles and doubles, but the Rider University women's tennis team fell to New Jersey rival Monmouth, 5-2, Thursday afternoon. With the loss, the Broncs fall to 0-1 on the season, while the Hawks are now 2-1.

"We had our chances on a few of the singles courts, but we didn't capitalize on opportunities," said Rider Head Coach Tom Battaglia. "We let their game dictate play, and that's not what we want to do. They need to come out and stick to the game plan, but nerves took control. We are very young and playing in a team atmosphere can be a little overwhelming. Luckily, we have a lot of matches to try and get it right."

O'Malley and Samantha Killin (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley) earned a 6-2 win over Hana McKinney and Lana Brezanin at No. 2 doubles to knot doubles play at 1-1, before Agnese Ceccarelli (Arezzo, Italy/Liceo Classico Francesco Petrarca) and Leila Koster (Duluth, GA/Rivers Academy) pulled out the point with a 7-6 (7-4) victory over Zoe Klapman and Jordyn Pax at the top flight.

O'Malley would go on to defeat Lauren Landstrom, 6-4, 6-4, at No. 6 singles. However, the Hawks took the remaining five singles flights and a 5-2 match victory. Koster won her first set against Klapman at top singles, but fell in three sets, 3-6, 6-3, 10-6. Daniela Naves Anzaldo (Alvarado, Mexico/Club Med Academies) and Jett Coetzee (Miami, FL/Miami Palmetto Senior) were also competitive at Nos. 3 and 5, respectively. Naves Anzaldo fell to McKinney, 7-5, 6-2, while Coetzee was defeated by Brezanin, 6-3, 6-3.

The Broncs return to action tomorrow, when they begin play at ITA Northeast Regionals at Princeton.