ERIE, Pa. -- The Mercyhurst College women's tennis team downed East Stroudsburg by a 5-1 count in the opening round of the NCAA II Tournament Thursday afternoon. The Lakers will now face host and No. 8 California (Pa.) on Friday, May 7 at 2 p.m.

Mercyhurst improves to 20-8 overall, becoming the first squad in the history of the men's or women's program to reach the 20-win plateau in addition to recording either program's first NCAA victory.

Meanwhile, East Stroudsburg ends it season with a 14-9 mark after making its debut in the NCAA Tournament.

The Lakers' only loss in the match came at No. 1 doubles where the ESU duo of Katie D'Ambrosia and Jamie Ferrigno narrowly edged Mercyhurst's Kim Ezzo and Meghan Raynor by an 8-6 count.

In singles play, Ezzo downed Amanda Kaufman (6-0, 6-0) while Jenna Raynor and Natalie Iovino picked up wins at No. 5 and No. 6, respectively.

Mercyhurst 5, East Stroudsburg 1
05/06/10 at California, Pa. (Roadman Park)

Singles competition
1. Kim Ezzo (MER) def. Amanda Kaufman (ESU) 6-0, 6-0
2. Meghan Raynor (MER) vs. Katie D'Ambrosia (ESU) unfinished
3. Rebecca Haener (MER) vs. Jamie Ferrigno (ESU) unfinished
4. Kelton Macke (MER) vs. Alex Santoro (ESU) unfinished
5. Jenna Raynor (MER) def. Amy McGrath (ESU) 6-0, 6-3
6. Natalie Iovino (MER) def. Rabecca Lausch (ESU) 6-1, 6-3

Doubles competition
1. Katie D'Ambrosia/Jamie Ferrigno (ESU) def. Kim Ezzo/Meghan Raynor (MER) 8-6
2. Rebecca Haener/Kelton Macke (MER) def. Amanda Kaufman/Alex Santoro (ESU) 8-5
3. Jenna Raynor/Natalie Iovino (MER) def. Amy McGrath/Rabecca Lausch (ESU) 8-1

Match Notes
East Stroudsburg 14-9; Regional ranking #10
Mercyhurst 20-8; Regional ranking #7
First round of NCAA Tournament.
Mercyhurst advances to face host California (Pa.) on May 7 at 2 p.m. 
Mercyhurst posts first NCAA Tournament victory and reaches 20-win mark for first time in program history.