ALLENTOWN, Pa. --- The Cedar Crest Tennis team started their 2018-19 season on Saturday afternoon, dropping their first contest, 9-0 to Rutgers-Camden.

"The team played very hard against a tough opponent, commented Head Coach Charlie MacDonald. "I was very impressed the way the ladies handled themselves and there are a lot of positives we are taking out of this match."

In doubles play, all three pairs were unable to earn a point, falling 8-0. Yomari Salvador and Keely Shellhamer suffered a lost at first doubles, Hannah Alarcon and Maya Narasimhan lost at second doubles while Andrea Abdale (Philadelphia, Pa./Northeast ) and Chelsea Tito fell at third doubles.

The Falcons had three girls earn a point in their matches, but no one was able to tab a win. Alyssa Epsaro (Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty), Salvador and Shellhamer all lost in straight sets at first, second and third singles. Narasimhan earned two games in the first set before falling 2-6, 0-6 at fourth singles. Ashley Wilkins (Rochester, N.H./Spaulding) and Delaney Robbins each earned a point in the second set, losing 0-6, 1-6 at fifth and sixth singles.

Cedar Crest will return to action on Friday, September 21, as the Falcons will host DeSales University on Falcon Tennis Courts, beginning at 3:30 PM.