Liberty University
Radford
Liberty Ousts Big South Foe Radford, 6-1
4/2/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
The Liberty women's tennis team extended its winning streak to three matches on Wednesday afternoon, defeating Big South Conference opponent Radford, 6-1, at the Radford University Tennis Complex.
The Lady Flames improve their record to 11-8 overall and 6-2 in Big South matches. During its three-match winning streak, Liberty has outscored its opponents by a combined total of 19-2. Radford falls to 6-9 and 1-3 in conference play.
Liberty started the match strong by winning the doubles point after collecting a pair of wins. Cameron Richard and Valerie Thong blanked the Highlanders' Gisela Garcia and Taylor Fay, 8-0, in the No. 3 position. The duo improved to 6-1 on the season and 5-0 in league matches.
The Lady Flames' Brittany Yang and Belen Rivera followed with their team-best ninth doubles win of the season, defeating Meg Napolitano and Grace Sarver, 8-4, in the No. 2 spot.
Liberty notched three consecutive wins to open singles play to go up 4-0 and seal the overall team victory. At No. 5, Mariely Hassey breezed past Garcia, 6-0, 6-0, before Jenkins bounced Napolitano in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3, in the No. 3 position.
Nicola Wellman delivered the clinching point for the visitors, ousting Sarver, 6-1, 7-5, in the No. 4 spot. The victory improved Wellman's singles record to a team-best 12-4 on the season.
After the Highlanders notched a win at No. 6, Liberty closed the match with wins in the top two positions. Yang tallied her 12th win of the year, knocking off Gemma Valls, 6-3, 7-6 (2), in the No. 2 spot.
Playing in the No. 1 position for the first time this season, Rivera bested Taylor Newman in straight sets, 6-4, 7-5.
"We're still working on being more consistent and confident with our finishing shots," commented Liberty head coach Jeff Maren. "Overall we competed well and found a way to win."
The Lady Flames return to the court on Saturday at East Carolina. Match time versus the Pirates is scheduled for 10 a.m.
Liberty 6, Radford 1
DOUBLES
1. Taylor Newman/Gemma Valls (RU) def. Rebekah Jenkins/Maria Khval (LU), 7-7 (4-3) retired
2. Brittany Yang/Belen Rivera (LU) def. Meg Napolitano/Grace Sarver (RU), 8-4
3. Cameron Richard/Valerie Thong (LU) def. Gisela Garcia/Taylor Fay (RU), 8-0
SINGLES
1. Belen Rivera (LU) def. Taylor Newman (RU), 6-4, 7-5
2. Brittany Yang (LU) def. Gemma Valls (RU), 6-3, 7-6 (2)
3. Rebekah Jenkins (LU) def. Meg Napolitano (RU), 6-3, 6-3
4. Nicola Wellman (LU) def. Grace Sarver (RU), 6-1, 7-5
5. Mariely Hassey (LU) def. Gisela Garcia (RU), 6-0, 6-0
6. Sara Andrade (RU) def. Lauren Mabe (LU), 6-4, 6-3
Team Stats
#1 Doubles Match
#2 Doubles Match
#3 Doubles Match
Order of Finish:
3,2,1
#1 Singles Match
#2 Singles Match
#3 Singles Match
#4 Singles Match
#5 Singles Match
#6 Singles Match
Order of Finish:
5,3,4,6,2,1