CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – After an early deficit, the No. 6 seed Elon women’s tennis team dominated in singles play to earn a 4-1 victory over No. 11 seed Davidson in the first round of the Southern Conference Women’s Tennis Tournament. Elon improves to 12-10 on the year, while Davidson’s season ends with a 5-20 record.

“I was really proud of the girls and the way they fought back after losing the doubles point,” said head Elon women’s tennis coach Elizabeth Anderson. “Davidson has improved a lot since we played them two weeks ago and our team showed so much character by bouncing back in singles. Frida [Jansaker] and Viv [Stavreva] got off the courts quickly and set a good tone and then Bryn [Khoury] and Bri [Berne] closed it out for us. But even then, we were in great position in the unfinished matches with Jordan [Johnston] and Jessica [Margolis] holding the lead on their respective courts.”

In doubles play, Viviana Stavreva and Kaylyn Smialek fell, 8-4, to Samantha Galainena and Katharine Dicconson at number three. Jordan Johnston and Briana Berne evened things up for the Phoenix at number one after an 8-5 win over Brites Moniz-Soares and Nisha Crouser. However, the Wildcat’s Stephani Synn and Alison Rauh earned an 8-5 victory against Frida Jansaker and Bryn Khoury to clinch the doubles point for Davidson. 

Elon quickly tied the match at 1-1 with a victory by Jansaker over Crouser at number three. Jansaker picked up the win in straight sets only giving up two total games in a 6-0, 6-2 match. On court four, Stavreva defeated Moniz-Soares, 6-2, 6-4, to give Elon its first lead of the day, 2-1. 

Khoury moved Elon one point closer to clinching the match after she earned a 6-2, 7-5 win over Rauh at number two. After winning the first set, 6-2, Berne found herself tied, 5-5, with Galainena. The sophomore then claimed the next two games for a 7-5 second-set victory and the win on court five. Berne’s victory ended the match, giving the Phoenix the 4-1 win over the Wildcats.

The Phoenix also led in the two unfinished matches at numbers one and six. Johnston, the SoCon Freshman of the Year, held a one-set advantage over Synn at number one, while Jessica Margolis also had an advantage on court six, winning her first set, 6-2, over Romina Clemente. 

Elon advances to play No. 3 seed Furman in the second round of the tournament. The match is scheduled for tomorrow, April 21, at 10:30 a.m. at the Champions Club. 

-- ELON --