Wednesday, March 14, 2007

 

TUSCULUM WOMEN CLAIM SAC OPENER OVER BEARS 8-1

 

                GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- The No. 40 Tusculum College women's tennis team won its South Atlantic Conference opener as the Pioneers defeated visiting Lenoir-Rhyne College 8-1 Wednesday afternoon at the Nichols Tennis Complex.  The Pioneers improve to 6-2 overall and 1-0 in league play, while the Bears fall to 1-5, 0-3 SAC.

 

                Tusculum swept all three doubles points including an 8-5 pro set victory by the No. 2 pairing of Caroline Crowe and Bronwyn Hartley as they defeated Jen Binney and Sekah Rhoney.  At the No. 1 flight, Danae Valderrama and Samantha Cantu gutted out an 8-6 win over Katie Meiners and Kelli Ball.  The TC duo of Jessi Smith and Heidi von der Lage won 8-6 at No. 3 doubles against Mary Hulet Kitterman and Amanda Hunsaker.

 

                The Pioneers won five of the six singles matches, including straight set victories by Jennifer Sparks, Valderrama, Cantu, Hartley and Amanda Pike.  The Bears lone win came at the No. 5 flight as Rhoney defeated Crowe 6-4, 6-4.

 

                The Pioneers return to action on Friday when they host in-state foe Lincoln Memorial University for a 4 p.m. match at the Nichols Tennis Complex.  Lenoir-Rhyne will be in action on Thursday when they travel to Carson-Newman College to face the Lady Eagles in a SAC battle in Jefferson City.

 

- TC -

 

No. 40 Tusculum 8, Lenoir-Rhyne 1

 

Singles

 

1 - Danae Valderrama (TC) def. Kate Meiners

6-2, 6-1

2 - Jennifer Sparks (TC) def. Jen Binney

6-2, 6-4

3 - Samantha Cantu (TC) def. Kelli Ball

6-3, 6-2

4 - Bronwyn Hartley (TC) def. Mary Hulet Kitterman

6-1, 6-1

5 - Sekah Rhoney (LR) def. Caroline Crowe

6-4, 6-4

6 - Amanda Pike (TC) def. Amanda Hunsucker

6-0, 6-0

Doubles

 

1 - Valderrama/Cantu (TC) def. Meiners/Ball

8-6

2 - Crowe/Hartley (TC) def. Binney/Rhoney

8-5

3 - Jessi Smith/Heidi von der Lage (TC) def. Kitterman/Hunsucker

8-6