Owensboro, Ky. - The Franklin College women's tennis team has won its first matches of the season, defeating Brescia College 9-0 on Saturday.

Senior Melissa Sanders (Columbus, Ind./Columbus North) won by identical 6-3 scores at the top of the singles lineup. She teamed with senior Chelsea Howell (West Harrison, Ind./Franklin County) to win at No. 1 doubles by an 8-2 score.

Howell dropped only three games in winning at No. 2 singles.

Freshman Karen Dringenburg (Seymour, Ind./Seymour) picked up a 6-2, 6-4 triumph at the No. 3 singles position. Classmate Rachel Rose (Springfield, Ohio/Springfield) won in straight sets on the No. 4 court. Senior Chelsea Platt (Shelbyville, Ind./Morristown) rounded out the winners at No. 5 singles.

Senior Emily Helvie (Batesville, Ind./Batesville) and freshman Holyn Eldridge (Goshen, Ind./Concord) picked up an 8-3 victory at No. 2 doubles.

Franklin opens Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference play when it travels to Transylvania University on Saturday, September 12 at noon from Lexington, Kentucky.