West Windsor, N.J. - The Robert Morris University women's tennis team opened play in the 2012 Northeast Conference Tournament Friday by suffering a 4-2 setback to No. 3 seed Sacred Heart at the Mercer County Tennis Center.

The loss drops RMU's overall record on the 2011-12 campaign to 6-15.

The Colonials were able to pick up victories at the No. 5 and No. 6 singles flights against the Pioneers, as junior Isabella Novella (Santo Andre, Brazil) earned a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Kristin Legenza at the fifth flight.

Senior Ekaterina Rudneva (Leningrad, Russia) followed by defeating Haley Dubits at No. 6 by the exact same score, 6-4 and 6-2.

Sacred Heart clinched the victory thanks to wins at the No. 1 and No. 3 doubles flights.

RMU did pick up a win in doubles action, as juniors Samantha Alves (Rio De Janeiro, Brazil) and Clarissa Chen (Winnipeg, Manitoba / Winnipeg Secondary) earned an 8-6 victory over Nicole Rydzewski and Kristin Legenza.

Robert Morris will now compete in consolation action against in-state rival Saint Francis (Pa.) Saturday afternoon in a match that will start around 2:00 p.m.