Agate
 
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A strong overall performance helped the Elon University women’s tennis team to its ninth consecutive win today, Feb. 28, as the Phoenix defeated Charlotte, 5-2, at the Halton-Wagner Tennis Complex.
 
Elon (9-1) won doubles against Charlotte (6-3) and took four of six singles matches to earn the win. Elon’s nine-match winning streak is the longest in program history since making the transition to Division I.
 
“I am proud of the way we battled and competed at every position today,” said Elon head coach Elizabeth Anderson. “Charlotte is a talented team with strong players at every position. We were challenged and we fought our way to earn the win. We look forward to returning home tomorrow to face Longwood.”
 
The Phoenix won doubles to take a 1-0 match lead in the early going. Maria Camara Ruiz and Viviana Stavreva topped Charlotte’s Tyler Baker and Natsuko Takayanagi with an 8-4 decision, while Briana Berne and Taylor Casey registered an 8-1 win over Ginny Johnson and Jessica Pérez.
 
Bryn Khoury ran her team-best winning streak to eight and improved to 10-2 on the year with a 6-1, 6-2, decision over Baker in straight sets at No. 4 singles.
 
Jordan Johnston defeated Alexandra Zinn in straight sets at No. 1 singles, 6-1, 6-2, to extend Elon’s lead. Johnston improves to 7-5 on the year and has won six out of her last ten matches.
 
Frida Jansaker fought tooth and nail with Takayanagi at the No. 2 position, but came out victorious in straight sets, 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-5), to help the Phoenix. Jansaker has won six straight matches and is tied with Khoury with a team-best 10 wins in singles play this season.
 
Maria Camara Ruiz improved to 5-1 on the year and captured her fifth straight win for the Phoenix, as she defeated Iveta Guneva, 6-0, 6-2.
 
Elon returns to action tomorrow afternoon at 2 p.m. when it hosts Longwood at the Jimmy Powell Tennis Center. Students can earn a total of five ONE Phoenix points by attending tomorrow’s match.