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Abbey Grace Venham
4
Methodist University MUWTN (14-8)
5
Winner Piedmont PUW (23-4)
Methodist University MUWTN
(14-8)
4
Final
5
Piedmont PUW
(23-4)
Winner

Match Recap: Women's Tennis | | Joseph Garwood: Assistant Director of Athletic Communications

Lady Lions Deliver Comeback for the Ages, Prevail 5-4 over Methodist in Semifinals

NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 5, Methodist 4
Records: Piedmont, 23-4; Methodist, 14-8

ROME, Ga. - The Piedmont women's tennis team is headed to the USA South Tournament Final after roaring back from a 4-0 deficit to defeat Methodist 5-4 in the semifinals on Friday afternoon in Rome.

Methodist swept all three doubles lines and put the first point on the board in singles to grab a 4-0 advantage. However, the Lady Lions quickly flipped momentum back, dominating in straight sets at No. 3 through No. 6 singles as ABBEY GRACE VENHAM mounted an incredible comeback at No. 2 after dropping the first set 6-1.

With the match tied at 4-4, Venham completed the furious rally by closing it out on her fourth match point to send the Lions into the final for the third straight season.


 

The fortunes were heavily favoring the Monarchs in the early going. Methodist was able to roll 8-1 at No. 3 doubles before pulling away late at both No. 2 (8-4) and No. 1 (8-5) doubles to jump ahead 3-0 heading to singles play.

Needing just two singles wins to clinch the match, the Monarchs quickly took first sets at No. 1 and No. 2 singles. While Methodist closed out the win at No. 1 singles, ALYSSA MCSPADDEN put the Lady Lions on the board with a 6-3, 6-1 triumph at No. 6 to begin to swing momentum. 

At the same time, Venham established a lead in the second set while DAKOTA WILKES was well on her way to a 6-3, 6-3 win at No. 5. 

The momentum began to swing even more as MELISSA GISH and MARION SLOYAN each prevailed in grueling first sets, 7-5, at No. 3 and No. 4.

Both took advantage of the raucous crowd to capitalize on the momentum and cruise to 6-2 wins in the second set after Wilkes closed out her match, meaning it was tied at 4-4 with Venham up big in the third set.

Serving for the match up 5-1, the sophomore, who was named to the All-Conference First Team Friday morning, had her serve broken but was still in complete command. She delivered in the very next game, breaking back to complete the comeback and send Piedmont to the final.



 

The Lady Lions are scheduled to take on Averett in the USA South Tournament Final tomorrow at 10 a.m. 

TURNING POINT:
- Gish and Sloyan emerged victorious in hard-fought first sets 7-5 and each rolled 6-2 in the second to swing momentum back to the Lions.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Venham played hero, rallying back from a difficult first set to take complete control in the second and third.

NEWS AND NOTES:
- This marks the third consecutive season in which the Lions have advanced to the final.

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.
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