NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 9, Johnson & Wales (NC) 0
Records: Piedmont, 1-0; Johnson & Wales (NC), 0-2

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Piedmont women's tennis team opened the 2023 season with a 9-0 sweep at Johnson & Wales (NC) on Saturday afternoon in Charlotte.

The Lady Lions were dominant throughout, taking all three doubles lines with ease and winning all six singles matches in straight sets without being challenged in a single set.

Piedmont delivered a pair of perfect 6-0, 6-0 wins in singles as ALYSSA MCSPADDEN at No. 2 and DANNIE EVANS at No. 6 did not lose a single game.

The No. 3 doubles team of Evans and BROOK PATTON also did not lose a single game on their way to helping the Lady Lions take the doubles sweep. After Patton and Evans made it 1-0 Piedmont quickly, it did not take long before MIA VASHER and SARAH ROW cruised 8-1 at No. 2 doubles while IMANI VINCENT and BRI LAIDMAN made it 3-0 Lions with an 8-2 triumph at No. 1.

Heading into singles action needing just two lines to clinch the match, freshman JORDAN BALLARD did the honors with her 6-1, 6-0 win at No. 5.

While McSpadden and Evans delivered perfect 6-0, 6-0 performances, Row dominated as well (6-1, 6-2), taking her first career dual singles match with ease.

Playing in the top spot in the lineup, junior MARION SLOYAN won 6-2, 6-2 while Vasher won at No. 3 (6-2, 6-1)

The stage is now set for a big rematch as the Lady Lions are back in action tomorrow at Methodist. First serve is scheduled for 12 p.m. The Lady Lions and the Monarchs last tangled in the 2022 USA South Tournament Semifinals as Piedmont rallied to win 5-4 on its way to the championship.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- DANNIE EVANS did not lose a single game in either doubles (8-0 win with BROOK PATTON) or singles (6-0, 6-0 win) Saturday.
- Freshmen JORDAN BALLARD picked up the clinch as her first career dual singles win for the Lady Lions.

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