Rocky Mount, NC - In their closest match yet, the Piedmont Women's Tennis team came up short 5-4 against the Maryville Scots in the first round of the USA South Tennis Tournament. The #4 seeded Lady Lions gathered an early 2-1 lead in doubles play but were overwhelmed late in singles play by the #5 seeded Scots.

Meghan Smith and Chelsea Prince started the day with an 8-4 No. 1 doubles victory. The pair took the lead early in the match and held onto it against Maryville. The pair of Katie Sailors and Ashley Fannon had a similar 8-4 win at No. 2 doubles that showed the Scots were willing to put up a fight. Maryville proved it with the 8-4 win at No. 3 doubles.

Going into singles with the lead, Sailors played confidently and took No. 1 with 6-2,6-2 scores. Maryville's No. 3 gave Piedmont trouble. Meghan Smith lost a close first set 7-6(3) and couldn't make up for the deficit, dropping the second set as well 6-1.

At No. 2 singles, Chelsea Smith split the first two sets with her Maryville opponent. She maintained her composure and took set three for the win, giving the Lady Lions an overall 4-2 lead. The Scots were nowhere near ready to concede though. They took No. 6 singles from Nicole Parrish and then tied it up 4-4 after winning a three-set back and forth at No. 4 singles between Erin Krause and the Scot opponent.

Both players fought hard at No. 5 singles with senior Lauren Anderson conceding set one 6-4 before taking set two 6-3. The third set went back and forth with both Ladies serving strong and returning volleys to reach a 6-6 tie. It was not in the cards for Anderson though, as Maryville won the final tiebreaker at 13-11.

Head Coach Shane Wood had the following to say,"We played very hard and Lauren played one of the best matches of her career...hats off to Maryville for playing a little bit better."

The Lady Lions finish the 2013 season with a 9-9 record and 8-3 conference record after being defeated in the first round of USA South tournament play.