NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Young Harris 5, Piedmont 2
Records: Young Harris, 1-0; Piedmont, 0-1
 
YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – The Piedmont women's tennis team dropped a tough battle, 5-2, at Division II Young Harris in its season-opening match on Thursday afternoon.
 
Playing by Division II scoring rules, the Lady Lions (0-1) dropped a heartbreaker at No. 3 doubles and were able to take two of the six singles lines in the 5-2 defeat.
 
After the Mountain Lions (1-0) quickly took a 6-2 victory at No. 1 doubles, Piedmont responded with a dominant 6-2 win of its own from IMANI VINCENT and freshman MELISSA GISH at No. 2. Unfortunately, Young Harris emerged victorious with a 6-4 triumph at No. 3 doubles from its team of Fatima Murphy and Rilee Marler to take the 1-0 lead going to singles.
 
The Mountain Lions extended their lead to 2-0 with a quick win at No. 1 singles before Gish put the stamp on her perfect debut as a Lady Lion with a 6-4, win by retirement at No. 5. The Lady Lions were able to knot the score at 2-2 after Vincent was able to take a first-set tiebreaker and cruise to a 6-3 win in the second set at No. 2.
 
However, Young Harris retook the lead with a straight set win at No. 3. Trailing 3-2 in the match, KARA LANDSIEDEL dropped a heartbreaker in a third-set super breaker, 10-8, to give the Mountain Lions the clincher.
 
The loss for the Lady Lions snaps a seven-match win streak dating back to last season.
 
Up next, Piedmont will remain on the road as it will head to Birmingham-Southern to battle the Panthers on Tuesday, Feb. 16.
 
TURNING POINT:
- With Piedmont trailing 3-2 in the match, Young Harris's Catarina Marcko Ferreira outlasted KARA LANDSIEDEL, eking out a 10-8 third-set super breaker to clinch the win for the Mountain Lions.
 
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Sophomore IMANI VINCENT delivered a perfect afternoon, winning at No. 2 doubles with partner MELISSA GISH while also winning in straight sets at No. 2 singles. Vincent has now won nine consecutive singles matches dating back to last season and has only lost once as a Lady Lion.
- Freshman MELISSA GISH delivered an outstanding debut, joining Vincent with a perfect afternoon.
 
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, and Facebook. To follow each Piedmont athletic program on social media, use the Social Media Directory at PiedmontLions.com or click here.