NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 8, Methodist 1
Records: Piedmont, 2-0; Methodist, 0-2

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - In a rematch of last season's epic USA South Semifinal match, this time the Piedmont women's tennis team left no doubt, rolling to an 8-1 win at Methodist on Sunday afternoon.

The Lady Lions took a 2-1 lead after doubles and carried the momentum into singles, taking all six singles matches, with four coming in just two sets.

The afternoon began on a strong note for Piedmont as the No. 3 doubles team of DAKOTA WILKES and MARION SLOYAN prevailed 8-3. While the Monarchs were able to even the score at 1-all with an 8-4 win at No. 1, the momentum stopped right in its tracks as ABBEY GRACE VENHAM and ALYSSA MCSPADDEN cruised to an 8-1 win at No. 2 doubles to give the Lions a 2-1 lead going into singles.

Unlike last season, this time the Lady Lions had more room for error in singles action. However, it was not needed, as they took all six lines with four of the six coming in dominant fashion.

McSpadden cruised to a 6-1, 6-1 win at No. 4 to give Piedmont a 3-1 lead in the match before IMANI VINCENT rolled to a 6-1, 6-2 victory at No. 3 to put the pressure on even more.

Then, it was Sloyan's turn to erase all doubt, as the junior won a hard-fought first set and cruised in the second (6-4, 6-1) to give Piedmont the match.

With three matches remaining on court, Piedmont took those three as well for good measure. Venham prevailed in a third-set super breaker after battling Methodist's Toni Laney in a pair of tiebreakers in the first two sets, which the two split. 

After Wilkes cruised to a straight-set win at No. 5, BRI LAIDMAN battled back from dropping the first set to win a dominant second set and take the third-set match tiebreaker 10-4 to close out the festivities.

Up next, the Lady Lions will travel to Brevard and battle the Tornados this coming Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 2:30 p.m.

TURNING POINT:
- After the first two doubles matches were split, McSpadden and Venham cruised to an 8-1 win at No. 2, allowing Piedmont to retake the lead for good.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Wilkes, Sloyan, Venham and McSpadden doubled up, picking up singles and doubles wins for the Lions.

NEWS AND NOTES:
- The win marks the fifth in a row for Piedmont over Methodist after the Monarchs took the first five meetings in the all-time series.
- Head Coach Trey Martin is 5-0 all-time against Methodist.

HOW TO FOLLOW:
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