Saturday marked the seventh consecutive opening day victory for the Arizona women’s tennis team, which defeated NAU 7-0.

The match, at the Robson Tennis Center, began with seniors Lacey Smyth and Kim Stubbe winning in doubles play in the No. 1 spot.

Senior Akilah James and sophomore Inge Hendrikx beat NAU’s Sarah Spruch and Jordan Denesik 6-0.

Freshman Lauren Marker, playing in the No. 5 spot in singles, beat Tatum Rochin 6-2, 6-0.

Stubbe earned another point for Arizona by defeating Johanna Vang 6-0, 6-1.

Smyth tallied a 6-0, 6-2 victory in the No. 1 spot, and James won her No. 3 match.

During the fall, James posted a 6-1 record in singles, and she won her singles flight at the Wildcat Invitational from Oct. 11-13.

Head coach Vicky Maes said James is one of the most athletic players she has ever coached and her energy is crucial for the entire team.

James is one of the four seniors who will help lead the team during the spring.

“I think we did a good job keeping our composure through the entire match,” Maes said. “Certainly, you can’t always control [your] emotions. I think we were a little jittery. Now that we have that first match under our belt, I think we will feel much better playing next weekend.”

Arizona will be back in action on Saturday Feb. 1 when it hosts San Jose State at the Robson Tennis Center.

—Follow Rose Aly Valenzuela @RoseAlyVal