Wilmington, DE – (9/8/2010) – Conference play started early for Chestnut Hill College, as the Griffins traveled this afternoon to Goldey-Beacom College for their first match of the season. The Lightning took Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) match by a narrow 5-4 margin by taking the bottom three singles matches after taking two doubles flights.

Chestnut Hill College (0-1, 0-1) trailed 2-1 after doubles play, thanks to a victory at number one doubles from sophomore Nastia Shcherbakova (Minsk, Belarus) and freshman Kelly Dennis (Cincinnati, OH). Shcherbakova and Dennis scored an 8-4 win in the top team flight, but the Griffins dropped number two doubles, 8-6, and number three doubles, 8-1, to fall behind heading to individual play.

Shcherbakova and Dennis each claimed singles victories, winning the top two individual matches. After losing the opening game 6-4, Shcherbakova recovered to win number one singles 6-2, 10-8. Dennis won number two singles 6-1, 6-1, and sophomore Maria Parapouras (Victoria, Australia) followed with a 6-4, 6-4 win at number three singles; but it was not enough to claim victory. The Lightning earned points at number four, five, and six singles to steal the conference win.