NEED TO KNOW:
Match 1 Score: Piedmont 9, Houghton 0
Match 2 Score: Piedmont 5, Warner 1
Records: Piedmont, 7-0; Houghton, 0-9; Warner, 0-4

ORLANDO, Fla. - The Piedmont women's tennis team continued its winning ways on Monday, sweeping a doubleheader with a 9-0 victory over Houghton and a 5-1 win over Warner.

The Lady Lions took care of the Highlanders in the morning before besting the Royals in the afternoon in dramatic fashion.

Match 1: Piedmont 9, Houghton 0

The Lady Lions began the morning up 1-0 before a single ball was served, winning by default at No. 3 doubles. However, the two doubles pairings that did play made quick work of their opponents, dropping only two total games in doubles.

The No. 2 team of ALYSSA MCSPADDEN and KAITLYN HOUSE rolled to an 8-1 win at while IMANI VINCENT continued her hot streak, teaming with MARION SLOYAN for the first time this season in an 8-1 win.

With the singles No. 6 line going to Piedmont by default, the Lady Lions needed just one singles victory to clinch their sixth win in a row to start the campaign.

Both HOLLAN RABENSDORF and TYLER PERRY delivered perfect matches, each not dropping a game on their way to victories.

Graduate student MAGGIE MOODY picked up her first singles win of the spring, rolling 6-0, 6-1 at No. 2. Junior DAKOTA WILKES moved all the way up to the No. 1 slot in the lineup, rolling to a win (6-0, 6-3) to remain undefeated in singles play on the season.

Match 2: Piedmont 5, Warner 1

After dispatching Houghton in the morning, the Lady Lions completely changed course, taking on Warner on a clay surface and winning in dramatic fashion. With rain fast approaching, both RACHEL MARSH and MELISSA GISH clinched their matches on the final point of play before the weather concluded the festivities.

Doubles play was fiercely contested, as Piedmont won two out of three to begin play. 

Playing No. 1, the team of Vincent and MELISSA GISH put the first point of the match on the board with an 8-4 victory before the No. 3 squad of Marsh and Sloyan rolled to an 8-3 win.

Attempting to go for the sweep, Warner put itself back in the match with a hard-fought 8-6 triumph at No. 2.

Leading 2-1 going into singles, the Lady Lions retook control of the match as all six players took their first set.

Having been named USA South Player of the Week during the match, Vincent won her first set 6-3 before her opponent was forced to retire, putting Piedmont up 3-1.

As is typical in Florida, rain became a factor, as the Lady Lions were in a race against time to clinch the win. On the last point of the match before play was halted, both GIsh and Marsh delivered dramatic wins to clinch their match.

Marsh's 6-1, 6-0 victory at No. 6 made it a 4-1 Piedmont edge before Gish (6-0, 6-2) delivered the clincher seconds later at No. 3.

Up next, the Lady Lions will play two more matches tomorrow, taking on Adrian in the morning (8 a.m.) before battling St. Mary's (6:30 p.m.) in the nightcap.

NEWS AND NOTES:
- The 7-0 start for Piedmont marks the first time the program has won seven in a row to start the season since at least the 2008 season.

HOW TO FOLLOW:
- To stay up to date on all information regarding Piedmont University 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.