Women's Tennis | 2/27/2016 7:09:00 PM

Need to Know
Score: Piedmont 3, Meredith 6 
Records: Lady Lions 1-3 (0-1 USA South), Avenging Angels (1-3, 1-0 USA South)
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina - Meredith Courts

Raleigh, NC - The Piedmont College women's tennis team came close to pulling off a big win to start USA South play on Saturday afternoon falling 6-3 to the Avenging Angels of Meredith College.  

Meredith was able to hold on in a pair of tight decisions in doubles play to take a 3-0 lead into singles play where the two teams would split the six decisions.  For Piedmont, it was AMANDA BLACKWELL, MORGAN COWART, and KARINA RIVERA winning singles decisions at the #4, #3, and #5 singles spots respectively.  

TABEA SOELTER also went three sets in her singles decision at #6 falling to Emily Wilkinson as the Lady Lions put up one of their best performances against Meredith in the four-match series between the two since PC became a USA South member.

Piedmont won't have long to regroup as the Lady Lions face William Peace University tomorrow in Raleigh with a 1:00 pm start.    

Turning Point
--Meredith holding on in a pair of doubles matches at the #2 and #3 spots to hold a 3-0 advantage heading into singles play. 

Standout Performances
--AMANDA BLACKWELL won her singles decision in straight sets at the #3 spot 6-3, 6-0 over Jacqueline Benton.
--MORGAN COWART outlasted Laura Anne Hatcher in a three set thriller to open up USA South play with a singles win earning a decision at the #3 spot.

Inside the Box Score
--Not much separated the two teams in doubles play as both the #2 and #3 spots were decided in tight calls, but it didn't get much clearer in singles with each team winning three decisions as well. 

News & Notes
--Today was the second 6-3 loss for Piedmont in the last three matches with Meredith who finished last season in the top four in the USA South.

Up Next
No rest for the weary as Piedmont continues its Carolina road trip tomorrow with a 1:00 pm afternoon match at William Peace University, a doubleheader in USA South play with the Piedmont men's tennis team also in action.

How to Follow
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Full Score Sheet
Meredith 6, Piedmont College 3
Feb 27, 2016 at Raleigh, N.C. (Meredith Courts) 

Singles competition

1. Catherine Bryant (MER) def. NICOLE PARRISH (PCW) 6-3, 6-3

2. Ran Zhang (MER) def. DURDEN SMITH (PCW) 6-0, 6-1

3. MORGAN COWART (PCW) def. Laura Anne Hatcher (MER) 1-6, 6-4, 10-6

4. AMANDA BLACKWELL (PCW) def. Jacqueline Benton (MER) 6-3, 6-0

5. KARINA RIVERA (PCW) def. Kate DeSilva (MER) 6-0, 6-4

6. Emily Wilkinson (MER) def. TABEA SOELTER (PCW) 7-6 (7-6), 1-6, 10-2

Doubles competition

1. Catherine Bryant/Ran Zhang (MER) def. DURDEN SMITH/MORGAN COWART (PCW) 8-3

2. Laura Anne Hatcher/Jacqueline Benton (MER) def. NICOLE PARRISH/AMANDA BLACKWELL (PCW) 9-8 (7-6)

3. Kate DeSilva/Emily Wilkinson (MER) def. KARINA RIVERA/Tatianna Burkett (PCW) 9-7