LIMA, Ohio - The No. 24-ranked Marian University women's tennis team picked up its first victory of the spring season as the Knights defeated the University of Northwestern Ohio, 7-2, in Lima, Ohio on Saturday afternoon.

The Knights improved to 13-3 on the season, while the Racers fell to 6-3-1.

The Knights took a 2-1 lead after the doubles competition. The team of senior Alyson O'Conner and freshman Hannah Knust picked up a 9-7 win at No. 2 doubles, while sophomores Lauren Paras and Brittney Horlacher won at No. 3 doubles, 8-6, to stake the Knights the early lead. Sophomore Olivia Pursell and freshman Sarah Potter fell at No. 1 doubles by an 8-6 score to give the Racers a point.

MU finished it in style as they took five of the six singles matches to earn the 7-2 win.

Horlacher earned her ninth victory of the season after she had to go the full three sets for the win. Horlacher fell in the first set, 3-6, before a 6-4 win in the second set. Since the match was already decided, she took the 10-point tiebreaker in the third set by a 10-8 score to improve to 9-7 on the year.

Knust moved to 12-3 on the season with a 6-3, 6-1 win at No. 2 singles, while Potter improved to 12-2 on the year with a 6-1, 6-3 win at No. 3 singles. Paras also moved to 12-3 on the season with a 6-3, 6-2 win at No. 4 singles, while Pursell improved to 14-2 in 2011-12 with a 6-1, 6-2 win at No. 5 singles. Junior Tiffany Schendel fell to 0-2 on the season after a 2-6, 5-7 defeat at No. 6 singles.

The 24th-ranked Knights will head to Kissimmee, Fla., for their spring break trip. They will take on Cornerstone University (Mich.) to open their run of five matches in five days on March 5 at Oak Street in Kissimmee.