KISSIMMEE, Fla. - The No. 25-ranked Marian University women's tennis team continued its torrid start to the spring season after the Knights defeated Olivet Nazarene University 7-2 in Kissimmee, Fla., on Wednesday afternoon.

The Knights are now 16-3 on the season, while ONU dropped to 2-4 in 2012.

"The ladies came out focused today and ready for a battle," said head coach Cassie Mackell. "I am very proud of their team effort and how they earned this victory over a perennial NAIA tournament program."

The singles competition got things started and sophomore Lauren Paras turned in the victory at No. 4 singles to open the match. Sophomore Brittney Horlacher fell at No. 1 singles, 2-6, 3-6, before sophomore Olivia Pursell earned a 6-1, 6-2 win at No. 5 singles. Junior Tiffany Schendel earned a 6-0, 6-2 win at No. 6 singles before freshman Hannah Knust won in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3, at No. 2 singles. Freshman Sarah Potter clinched the match with a 6-3, 6-2 win at No. 3 singles. MU won the match with a 5-1 lead after singles.

In the doubles competition, Potter and Pursell lost for the seventh time in 2011-12 at No. 1 doubles, 2-8. Horlacher and Paras moved to 16-3 on the season with an 8-2 win at No. 3 doubles, while senior Alyson O'Conner and Knust moved to 17-1 with an 8-5 win at No. 2 doubles. The tandem is now tied with Potter and Pursell for the single-season doubles victories record with 17.

The Knights will continue their spring trip when they take on Aquinas College (Mich.) at 8 a.m. on Thursday in Kissimmee, Fla.