NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The Carleton College women's tennis team opened its 2025-26 schedule with a 6-1 non-conference victory over Luther College, winners of the last six American Rivers Conference team titles.
 
The Knights' (1-0) lineup for the opener featured juniors Kiley Pickens and Kat Smiricinschi along with five rookies.
 
Carleton took the doubles point after winning all three contests by identical 6-3 scores. Smiricinschi and Giana Marks prevailed atop the lineup, while Gabriela Cilella and Varinn Sood won at No. 2 doubles. Pickens and Algara Dineva captured the No. 3 doubles match.
 
In singles, Marks was first to close out her opponent, besting Abby Ostermann 6-2, 6-3 at the top spot in the lineup. Pickens followed with a 6-3, 6-1 triumph at the second slot.
 
Julianna Mascardo kept Luther (6-1) alive with a 7-5, 6-2 victory at No. 4 singles, but Sood clinched the team win for the Knights with her 6-3, 6-0 result at the sixth spot.
 
Peggy Fu added a 7-5, 6-4 result at No. 3 singles, while Cilella concluded the day by rallying from a set down to win 2-6, 7-6, 1-0 (10-6) at the sixth spot.
 
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton hosts Concordia College-Moorhead at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 28.