FINAL RESULTS
 
ELON, N.C. – The Phoenix earned the all-important doubles point, and Erica Braschi clinched the victory in singles action as the Elon University women's tennis team defeated Charlotte 5-2 on Friday, March 18, at the Jimmy Powell Tennis Center.
 
Elon improved to 6-9 overall with the win and the 49ers fell to 4-6 overall with the loss. Braschi clinched the win at No. 2 singles with a tough 7-5, 7-6 (7-5) victory over Tai Martin.
 
"It was a hard-fought and good team win today for us against a good Charlotte team," said head coach Elizabeth Anderson. "I think the energy was good with our team today and we've been talking about that, coming together and fighting hard as a team. I think we did that very well today."
 
HIGHLIGHTS
Charlotte took the early advantage in doubles as Tyler Baker and Macy Vonderschmidt won 6-4 at No. 3. Taylor Casey and Braschi knotted up the doubles point at one match apiece with a 6-4 win on court two, setting up court one with a chance to clinch the point.
 
Kirsten Ward and Natalia Janowicz came through, clinching the doubles point and giving the Phoenix a 1-0 lead in the match with a 7-5 victory at No. 1.  "We came together and played well in doubles," said Anderson. "The doubles point made a big difference in the match."
 
In singles action, Janowicz and Zenoni earned quick victories on their respective courts to give Elon a 3-0 advantage in the match. Janowicz took No. 3 singles, 6-2, 6-1, and Zenoni earned a 6-1, 6-3 win at No. 4 singles. "Having Suzanne [Zenoni] and Natalia [Janowicz] win convincingly that gave us really good momentum and set up Erica [Braschi] and Olivia [Lucas] to clinch the match," explained Anderson.
 
Charlotte brought the match within a point as Sierra Stone won 6-4, 7-5 at No. 5 singles and Alexandra Lee earned a convincing 6-4, 6-1 win on the bottom court.
 
Braschi earned her fifth straight singles victory and clinched an Elon win with a hard-fought 7-5, 7-6 (7-5) win over Martin at No. 2 singles. Martin typically plays No. 1 singles for the 49ers. Olivia Lucas closed out the 5-2 victory at No. 1 singles. She battled back after falling in the first set to earn a 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 win.
 
UP NEXT
The Phoenix plays one match next week on Monday, March 21, at College of Charleston for a 2 p.m. match. Elon returns home 10 days later on Thursday, March 31, to host the Delaware at the Jimmy Powell Tennis Center. The CAA matchup will begin at 2 p.m.