WEST LONG BRANCH--The Rider University women's tennis team lost a non-conference match at Monmouth Thursday afternoon.

For Rider, the first doubles team of sophomore Marly Roche (Sussex/High Point Regional) and junior Tricia Ashmore (Sparta) won 8-2.

"Marly and Tricia soundly defeated the Monmouth first doubles team," said head coach Ed Torres.  "They played very well together and attacked the net.  They did a nice job."

In singles play, junior Danielle White (Reading, Pa./Reading) took her opening set to a tie-breaker at fourth singles before losing 7-6 (5), 6-1.

"It was a very windy day," said Torres.  "Monmouth made better adjustments to the conditions than we did.  Danielle had the best single match.  She took the first set to a tie-breaker and played for a long time.  She put up a fight."

The match was originally scheduled for October 1 before being postponed due to rain.

"Overall, Monmouth played steadier," Torres added.  "We made a few more errors but the match was closer than the scores would indicate.  We really weren't blasted off the court.  We missed some easy shots."

Monmouth defeated Rider 4-3 in Lawrenceville last season.

The Rider women host St. Francis (NY) on Sunday.