NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 5, Transylvania 2
Records: Piedmont, 25-4; Transylvania, 14-5

ATLANTA, Ga. - In its first NCAA Tournament competition in program history, the Piedmont women's tennis team advanced past Transylvania, 5-2, on a cool, overcast morning in Atlanta.

Playing on the campus of Emory University, the Lady Lions once again overcame a deficit after doubles and won four singles matches in straight sets to clinch with two matches remaining on court.

MELISSA GISH delivered the clinching win, just as she did in the USA South Tournament Final as the Loganville, Georgia native prevailed, 6-4, 6-2 to send Piedmont into the next round to face No. 8 Emory.



 

"We were all fighting side by side and cheering each other on and that made all the difference."

Mel battled back from down in the 1st set and once again secured the clinch!

The legend continues to grow pic.twitter.com/Ny1t8UeCAt

— Piedmont Tennis (@PiedmontUTennis) May 13, 2022

The match got off to an inauspicious start for the Lions, as they fell behind 2-1 after doubles. The Pioneers were able to put the first point on the board with an 8-1 win at No. 1 before the No. 3 doubles team of ALYSSA MCSPADDEN and DAKOTA WILKES pulled away for an 8-3 win at No. 3, winning five straight games to even the match at 1-1.


 

That's a point on the board!

Alyssa and Dakota with an 8-3 at 3! pic.twitter.com/zy4DIuk4ko

— Piedmont Tennis (@PiedmontUTennis) May 13, 2022

Transy was able to pull ahead with an 8-4 win at No. 2 doubles to grab the lead and momentum going to singles.

However, that momentum was quickly flipped as the Lions jumped ahead on most courts in the first sets of singles. IMANI VINCENT led 4-0 early in her first set and closed out a 6-2 first set victory. McSpadden was perfect in the first set while Wilkes also cruised to a first set win at No. 5.

Gish fell behind 3-1 in her first set at No. 3, but battled back to win the set 6-4. MARION SLOYAN fell behind 5-1 at No. 4, but she fought back as well, winning four straight games before falling 7-5.

However, by that time, the Lady Lions were close to finishing off the win. McSpadden remained perfect in the second set to finish off a 6-0, 6-0 victory to tie things up again at 2-2.

Venham held off her opponent in the second set to close out a 6-1, 6-4 victory at No. 2 doubles while minutes later both Gish and Wilkes were a game away from closing out wins at No. 3 and No. 5.


 

LIONS ?? TAKE ?? THE ?? LEAD

AG closes it out at 2!! pic.twitter.com/qANHtdQ2NN

— Piedmont Tennis (@PiedmontUTennis) May 13, 2022

It was Wilkes who clinched first with a 6-2, 6-3 triumph at No. 5 as Gish was only a few points behind her, sending the Lady Lions to the next round with a 6-4, 6-2 victory at No. 3.


 

GAME. SET. MATCH. LIONS ADVANCE!!!

Once again, Mel closes it out!!! pic.twitter.com/iNhSDpC70I

— Piedmont Tennis (@PiedmontUTennis) May 13, 2022

Both Vincent and Sloyan's matches were unfinished.

The win makes Piedmont 1-0 in NCAA Tournament play all time.

Up next, the Lady Lions will face a tough test on Saturday morning, battling No. 8 Emory at 10 a.m. in Atlanta.

TURNING POINT:
- Despite going into singles down 2-1, the Lady Lions quickly reestablished control of the match, winning 5-of-6 first sets on their way to the victory.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Both Wilkes and McSpadden were dominant at the bottom of the doubles and singles lineup, partnering for a win at No. 3 doubles while each cruised in straight sets at 5 and 6 singles.

HOW TO FOLLOW:
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