LANCASTER, Pa. – Franklin & Marshall's women's tennis team took a major step forward in securing a bid for the upcoming Centennial Conference (CC) Tournament with a clutch 8-1 win over Gettysburg on Wednesday afternoon in Lancaster.

The Diplomats moved into sole position of fifth place in the CC standings and now sit at 7-10, 5-3 CC on the year while the Bullets dropped to sixth with a 6-9, 4-3 CC record. 

By the Numbers 

F&M dominated doubles competition, outscoring Gettysburg by a 24-7 margin in the three matchups, including an 8-0 shutout by the No. 2 duo of Tara Buchney and Sarah Haas. In singles, Gavriel Rubenstein won her sixth consecutive match and seventh of her previous 10 with a 6-0, 6-2 straight-set victory at No. 3. 

With the win, the Diplomats extended a four-match unbeaten streak against the Bullets dating back to 2011. 

The Results 

Singles competition

1. Nicole Russo (F&MW) def. Maria Martinovic (GC) 6-1, 6-1

2. Laura Gradiska (GC) def. Sarah Haas (F&MW) 7-5, 6-4

3. Gavriel Rubenstein (F&MW) def. Gillian Minnerly (GC) 6-0, 6-2

4. Alexandra Collins (F&MW) def. Emily Lutz (GC) 6-1, 6-4

5. Allysan Breece (F&MW) def. Ally Flood (GC) 4-6, 6-3, 1-0 (10-7)

6. Sydney Fass (F&MW) def. Hailey Hoffman (GC) 6-2, 5-7, 1-0 (10-7) 

Doubles competition

1. Nicole Russo/Emily Gruenberg (F&MW) def. Maria Martinovic/Laura Gradiska (GC) 8-6

2. Tara Buchney/Sarah Haas (F&MW) def. Gillian Minnerly/Ally Flood (GC) 8-0

3. Gavriel Rubenstein/Allysan Breece (F&MW) def. Hailey Hoffman/Jeannie Van Buren (GC) 8-1 

Order of Finish 

Doubles (2,3,1); Singles (1,3,5,4,6,2) 

Up Next 

Just two games remain in the regular season. The Diplomats face another opponent with playoff implications when F&M travels to Dickinson tomorrow for a 3:30 p.m. contest.