Box Score

Demorest, GA -- The Piedmont College women's tennis team received clutch play when they needed it most earlier this afternoon taking a tight 5-4 decision over the visiting Spirits of Salem College in a Great South Athletic Conference battle.  The Lady Lions found themselves deadlocked at four before claiming the final singles decision on the board to snag their second conference win of the season and secure a spot in the upcoming GSAC championship tournament to be held at the end of the month.

Piedmont's key to victory came in a good start during the doubles portion of today's match as PC claimed winners in the top two doubles slots.  Victorious at #1 doubles was the pair of Jennifer Granlund and Ashley Fannon who sailed past the Spirits #1 pair 8-2 for their fourth doubles win of 2011.

Also grabbing a doubles decision was the pair of Lauren Hodges and Maria Carter who won by the same score of 8-2 with their victory coming at the #2 doubles spot.  The two move to 2-1 on the season in doubles play with both victories coming at the #2 spot.

While Piedmont's Granlund and Hodges would each claim singles victories as well winning at #1 and #3 respectively, Salem continued to battle collecting three singles decisions to go with their lone doubles point to tie the match at 4-4 with the #4 singles yet to finish. 

Competing at that #4 spot for PC was newcomer Maria Carter who valiantly battled back from a loss in the opening set to stun Salem's #4 2-6, 6-4, 6-1.  With the match hanging in the balance, Carter's comeback winner gave Head Coach Shane Wood and the Lady Lions a second GSAC win securing at least a sixth place finish in league play.

With that win, the group improves to 4-10 overall and 2-4 in GSAC action.  The Lady Lions now travel to nearby Atlanta on Monday for their third match in four days as they take on the Jaguars of Spelman College in their final league challenge of the year.  The April 18 match is set for a 4:00 start.