KNOXVILLE, Tn- For the first time in school history, the women's tennis team defeated cross-town rival Maryville College. The Royals were led by strong doubles play and carried the momentum into singles for a 7-2 victory. The Royals struck first at the top singles line where freshman Paola Testa and Sophomore Lauren Murray scored an 8-2 win. The doubles sweep was completed on the second court when the pair of Iris Loveday and Cait Bowling came back from an early deficit to take their match 8-4.
With a 4-0 match lead intact, the Royals would take the first sets on two of the top three courts. Paola Testa would be first off court as she would take her match at the top spot 6-2, 6-2 earning her fifth straight singles victory in as many tries. At the number 3 spot, sophomore Katelyn Lee improved as the match went on winning 6-2, 6-0. The final win of the day would come at the 4 spot from Cait Bowling winning 6-3, 6-2.
"We set the tone with doubles early and played really well throughout singles," Coach Hale said. "We haven't been able to pull out the win at Maryville before on the girls side so coming out, playing clean, and getting an early lead was key. After doubles, Paola, Katelyn, and Cait were able to just overwhelm the girls on the other side of the net." We are a little beat up at the moment so we will use this next week to recover before we try to keep the momentum moving through the rest of the fall."
The Royals will return home to play Southwest Virginia Community College on October 8th.