LEWISTON, Maine — The Bates College women's tennis team opened NESCAC play Saturday afternoon with a 7-0 setback to No. 15 Tufts University inside Merrill Gymnasium.

The Jumbos (3-0, 1-0 NESCAC) claimed the early momentum by sweeping all three doubles matches.

Tufts' Rachel Cranley and Stephanie Woodbury earned a 6-3 victory over Emelyn Harris and Iris Westmoreland at the top spot, while Lucy Mitchell and Natalie Hu prevailed 6-0 against Isabella Saul and Ava Steinberger at No. 2. The Tufts tandem of Melanie Woodbury and Claudia Grove completed the doubles sweep with a 6-0 win over Grace LaFountain and Elise Hepburn at No. 3.

In singles action, Westmoreland produced Bates' most competitive match of the day at the No. 1 position, pushing Mitchell to a tight first set before falling 7-5, 6-4.

Cranley defeated Saul 6-1, 6-2 at No. 2 singles, while Melanie Woodbury posted a 6-2, 6-3 win over Hepburn at No. 3. At the fourth spot, Nadia Khera topped Harris 6-4, 6-0, Hu earned a 6-0, 6-2 decision over Steinberger at No. 5, and Nikki Kintiroglou completed the sweep with a 6-2, 6-3 victory against Lia Swire at No. 6.

Bates (1-6, 0-1 NESCAC) returns to the court Sunday when the Bobcats host Trinity College at noon in Merrill Gymnasium.