ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. – No. 6 Hawai'i Pacific University's dominated the top four singles positions as the Sharks downed No. 12 St. Mary's (Texas) 5-2 to open the NCAA Division II Women's Tennis Championships on Wednesday morning at Sanlando Park.
 
The Sharks (15-5) had to come from behind to beat the Rattlers (18-3) who had a 2-1 lead after doubles.
 
Barbora Kijasova clinched the match for the Sharks at No. 4 singles when she ended St. Mary's hopes with a 6-2, 6-0 win over Tyra Timm to mark HPU's strength at the top of the singles lineup.
 
Second ranked Nicole Hoynaski breezed by 25th ranked Camille Clausse-Pujo 6-1, 6-0 at No. 1, as 16th ranked Lara Meccico took down Kaylin Kruseman 6-3, 6-0 at No. 2. Oceane Adam, ranked 29th, ripped Ally Maciel 6-1, 6-1 to win No. 3.
 
The other two singles flights were unfinished, with St. Mary's leading in both. Mariela Sarinara was up 7-5, 1-0 on the Sharks Leticia dos Santos, while Sindhu Ravula led Bianca Schulof 6-2, 4-3.
 
HPU started off behind the eight-ball as St. Mary's took a 2-1 after doubles.
 
Hoynaski/Adam claimed a point at No. 2, beating Maciel/Sarinana 8-5 after the Rattlers' Ravula/Clausse-Pujo beat Schulhof/dos Santos 8-3. Then STMU's sixth ranked duo of Kruseman/Timm edged the 24th ranked team of Meccico/Kijasova 8-5 at No. 1 for the early lead.
 
The No. 6 Sharks advance to the championship quarterfinals on Thursday to meet No. 23 Southeastern Oklahoma at 3 a.m. HST (9 a.m. EDT). Southeastern beat No. 33 NYIT 5-2 in opening round play.