TAMPA, Fla. ? The Embry-Riddle women's tennis team opened the 2009 season on a positive note, downing NCAA II Tampa 6-3 on Friday.

The Eagles took an early lead going up 2-1 after doubles play. Third-ranked Natasa Zoricic and newcomer Julija Stojkovska topped Estefania Greco and Lauren Holt 8-4 at the No. 1 position and eighth-ranked Hana Im and freshman Mathilda Engstrom downed Kourtney Stark and Victoria Bell 8-5 at the No. 2 spot. The Spartans got a point back at No. 3 doubles when Emily Kennedy and Claire Runge got by Sara Abraúl and Marga Rico Jimenez 8-5.

Im was the first to finish her singles match, easily dispatching Holt 6-1, 6-0 at No. 2. Abraúl was not far behind as she blanked Kennedy 6-0, 6-0 at the sixth position.

The next match off the court was at the No. 3 spot where Stojkovska downed Alexandra Arnold 6-2, 6-2 to score the clincher in her collegiate debut.

The next two matches went to the Spartans as Bell topped Rico Jimenez 6-0, 6-1 and Stark bested Engstrom 7-6 (7), 6-0. The Eagles' sixth win came at No. 1 singles with Zoricic downing Greco 6-3, 6-2.

The Eagles begin conference play on Sunday when they host St. Thomas at the Crotty Tennis Complex at 1 p.m.