Women's Tennis | 2/20/2016 7:21:00 PM

Need to Know
Score: Piedmont 7, Transylvania 2 
Records: Lady Lions 1-2, Pioneers 4-6
Location: Sewanee, Tennessee - Bruton-Guerry Tennis Center

Sewanee, TN - The Piedmont College women's tennis team was pushed to the brink in Saturday's neutral site match against Transylvania University after falling behind in doubles, but the Lady Lions rallied to win all six singles decisions and take the match 7-2 from the Pioneers for win #1 in 2016. 

The Pioneers took decisions at #1 and #3 doubles but could not defeat AMANDA BLACKWELL and NICOLE PARRISH at #2 doubles with the two picking up a point to keep the deficit 2-1 headed to singles play. 

From there, Piedmont took over winning all six singles decisions in straight sets to overtake the Pioneers 7-2 in the end.  The clinching decision came at #3 singles by sophomore MORGAN COWART who knocked off Mary Grace Amato in two. 

Parrish and Blackwell also took singles wins at #1 and #4 respectively while DURDEN SMITH won at #2, KARINA RIVERA won at #5, and newcomer TABEA SOELTER won at #6.  

Turning Point
--MORGAN COWART earned the clinching decision at #3 singles with her straight sets decision over Mary Grace Amato, 6-4, 6-4 to hand Piedmont the win.

Standout Performances
--KARINA RIVERA had a big win at #5 singles knocking off Kearstin Bruther in two sets 6-0, 7-6 winning the second set on a 7-4 tie-break. 
--AMANDA BLACKWELL and NICOLE PARRISH earned Piedmont's lone doubles point at the #2 slot, their first win as a pair this season.

Inside the Box Score
--A day after being swept in singles by Sewanee in straight sets, Piedmont repaid the favor to Transylvania winning all six singles decisions without dropping a set to the Pioneers.

News & Notes
--Piedmont's first win of 2016 comes in its third match with only one of those being played last fall. 

Up Next
The Lady Lions hit the road for a February 27 match at Meredith College to open up USA South play for 2016.  The Avenging Angels finished 4th in the regular season standings last year taking a 7-2 decision from PC in 2015. 

How to Follow
To stay up to date on all information regarding Piedmont College Athletics, be sure to visit PiedmontLions.com and connect with the Green and Gold on social media. Follow the Lions on Twitter: @PiedmontLions, Instagram: @PiedmontLions, Snapchat: @PiedmontLions and Facebook. To follow each Piedmont athletic program on social media, use the Social Media Directory at PiedmontLions.com or click here.

Full Score Sheet
Piedmont College 7, Transylvania 2
Feb 20, 2016 at Sewanee, TN (Bruton-Guerry Tennis Center)

Singles competition

1. NICOLE PARRISH (PCW) def. Lillian Williams (TRANSYW) 6-2, 6-2

2. DURDEN SMITH (PCW) def. Myriah Porter (TRANSYW) 6-3, 6-0

3. MORGAN COWART (PCW) def. Mary Grace Amato (TRANSYW) 6-4, 6-4

4. AMANDA BLACKWELL (PCW) def. Emily Fulkerson (TRANSYW) 6-0, 2-1, retired

5. KARINA RIVERA (PCW) def. Kearstin Bruther (TRANSYW) 6-0, 7-6 (7-4)

6. TABEA SOELTER (PCW) def. Sophie Head (TRANSYW) 6-2, 6-2

Doubles competition

1. Lillian Williams/Mary Grace Amato (TRANSYW) def. MORGAN COWART/DURDEN SMITH (PCW) 8-6

2. NICOLE PARRISH/AMANDA BLACKWELL (PCW) def. Myriah Porter/Kearstin Bruther (TRANSYW) 8-3

3. Emily Fulkerson/Sophie Head (TRANSYW) def. Tatianna Burkett/KARINA RIVERA (PCW) 9-7