Women's Tennis | 2/4/2017 9:08:00 PM

SAN ANTONIO, Texas. – VALENTINA MARTINEZ won in both doubles and singles Saturday to help St. Edward's women's tennis take down NCAA Division I Incarnate Word, 4-1.
 
Martinez clinched the victory at No. 5 singles with a 7-6 (6), 6-3 win. She is now 11-4 in singles play this season and 30-13 in her career. LAURA GALVAN and PAOLA CARPIO also won their singles matches in straight sets.
 
The Hilltoppers (3-0) are off to their best start since 2001 when the team started 4-0. Incarnate Word falls to 2-1 on the season.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Cardinals struck first in doubles with a 6-0 win at No. 1.
• St. Edward's responded with a 6-1 win on line three and a 6-3 victory at No. 2 to take the point.
• In singles, UIW took the first win again at No. 6, but a 3-0 run by the Hilltoppers clinched the win.

 
HILLTOPPER NOTES

• Martinez is currently third all-time at St. Edward's for singles winning percentage, having reached the minimum of 30 wins.
• The Hilltoppers are 13-3 in singles action this spring, and all starters have recorded a win.
• St. Edward's is 12-10 all-time against Incarnate Word, a former Heartland Conference member.
• In NCAA Division I scoring, doubles matches are one set to six games, and the team that wins two out of the three matches is awarded one point.

 
QUOTE BOARD: HEAD COACH KENDALL BROOKS
"Today was a huge win for us, and for our confidence. Going up against a NCAA Division I school and beating them is always a good thing. We came out really strong in doubles, and I think this is what really boosted our confidence. We played some tough singles matches and continue to get better. Unfortunately, our match against Trinity was rained out, but this was a great first weekend for us."
 
UP NEXT
St. Edward's returns home Friday to face Northeastern State at 2 p.m. at the Austin Tennis Center. Live stats will be available at GoHilltoppers.com.
 
MATCH INFORMATION
Score: #37 St. Edward's 4, Incarnate Word 1
Records: St. Edward's (3-0), Incarnate Word (2-1)
Clincher: Martinez – SEU (7-6 (6), 6-3)
 
For the latest information on the St. Edward's University Women's Tennis team, follow us on Facebook and Twitter at @SEUWTennis, or visit us at www.GoHilltoppers.com.