BEL AIR, Md.—The Harford women's tennis team opened the 2008 season with a 6-3 victory over Gloucester on Wednesday afternoon at Harford Community College.  The Fighting Owls (1-0) claimed victories in Nos. 1 and 3 doubles, as well as Nos. 1, 2, 4 and 5 singles wins, while the Roadrunners (0-1).

Sophomore Katrina Tiedeman (Jarrettsville, Md./North Harford) and freshman Ashley Sherinsky (Fallston, Md./Fallston) started things off with an 8-4 win at No. 1 doubles and the duo of sophomore Julie Strong (Bel Air, Md./C. Milton Wright) and freshman Kate Tiburzi (Fallston, Md./Fallston) added an 8-5 decision in the No. 3 slot to give the Owls a 2-0 lead heading into the singles matches.

Tiedeman easily dispatched her opponent in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2, at the No. 2 spot and Tiburzi posted a 6-0, 6-3 victory at No. 5 singles to put Harford one point away from victory.

Sherinsky's match in the No. 1 slot proved to be the deciding match as she defeated her opponent, 6-2, 6-4 to clinch victory for the Owls, but it was freshman Kelsey Strine (Abingdon, Md./Edgewood) that stole the spotlight for the day.

Head coach George Budelis named the rookie the MVP of the match after she came back from a love first set in the No. 4 position and won the succeeding sets, 6-4, 6-0 to take the match point.

Strine also teamed with freshman Courtney Brewer (Street, Md./North Harford) in No. 2 doubles, which the Roadrunners won, 8-4, while Brewer fell at No. 3 singles, 6-2, 6-1.

Freshman Agnes Burke (Havre de Grace, Md./Havre de Grace) jumped to a one set lead, 6-4, in the No. 6 position, but fell in the next two, 1-6, 2-6 to conclude the team match.

The Fighting Owls return to competition this weekend when they host the Harford Invitational, which features national-caliber opponents, and will look to improve on their fourth-place finish from a year ago.