NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 9, Methodist 0
Records: Piedmont, 6-1; Methodist, 1-3

DEMOREST, Ga. - Piedmont women's tennis delivered a clinical 9-0 sweep over Methodist on Saturday morning in Demorest.

The Lions have now won five matches in a row, with four of those five coming in 9-0 fashion.

The Monarchs were able to push the Lions at No. 1 doubles, but the Lions prevailed late and capitalized on the momentum to dominate in singles action, winning all six lines in straight sets.

The win gives the Lions six consecutive over Methodist and Saturday's 9-0 win was the team's first ever shutout against the Monarchs.


 

First ever 9-0 sweep over Methodist ?

Lions now have taken six straight over the Monarchs! pic.twitter.com/l0yx8736jw

— Piedmont Tennis (@PiedmontUTennis) February 24, 2024

Piedmont's No. 3 doubles team of Dannie Evans and Marion Sloyan cruised to an 8-1 win at No. 3 before Dakota Wilkes and Alyssa McSpadden took care of business with an 8-4 win at No. 2. However, the Monarchs put up a battle at No. 1. With the Lions leading 7-6 and a deuce point at play, Piedmont was able to win the crucial point to avoid a tiebreaker and take the doubles sweep with an 8-6 win from Abbey Grace Venham and Bri Laidman.

Now, needing just two singles wins to clinch the match, they came in short order, first from Jordan Ballard, (6-0, 6-0) who did not drop a game at No. 6 singles. It was McSpadden, who continued her winning ways, that earned the clinch, winning 6-1, 6-1 at No. 4.

Laidman (6-3, 6-4) followed in quick succession with a win at No. 5 to add to the Piedmont lead. Sloyan (6-3, 6-1) picked up yet another win at No. 2 while Venham won a hard-fought first set at No. 1 before cruising in the second to win 7-5, 6-2.

Finally, it was Wilkes who closed things out, making it six straight set singles wins for the Lions with a 6-3, 6-4 triumph at No. 3.

Up next, the Lions will look to go 2-0 in CCS play, taking on Huntingdon on the road on Friday, March 1 at 3 p.m.

TURNING POINT:
- Abbey Grace Venham and Bri Laidman escaped going to a tiebreaker at No. 1 doubles to win 8-6 and put Methodist in a 3-0 hole heading into singles.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Venham, Laidman, Sloyan, Wilkes and McSpadden all picked up a doubles and singles win on the day.

NEWS AND NOTES:
- Piedmont is now 6-0 against Methodist in Head Coach Trey Martin's tenure. Previously, the Lions were 0-6 against the Monarchs.
- Piedmont's 9-0 win Saturday marks the first ever shutout for it against Methodist.

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 X: @PiedmontLions, Instagram: @PiedmontLions, and Facebook.