NEED TO KNOW:
Match 1 Score: Piedmont 5, Methodist 2
Match 2 Score: Piedmont 7, Meredith 0
Records: Piedmont, 5-0; Methodist, 0-1; Meredith, 0-2

RALEIGH, N.C. - Piedmont women's tennis picked up a pair of wins on the road in North Carolina on Saturday, rallying from behind to defeat Methodist 5-2 before dismantling Meredith in a 7-0 shutout.

Match 1: Piedmont 5, Methodist 2

In the team's first match of the day, the Lions delivered their seventh straight win over the Monarchs, this time overcoming a deficit after doubles. Methodist was able to jump on the Lions in the early going, picking up a 6-1 win at No. 1 doubles before clinching the point with a 6-2 win at No. 2 doubles. While the point was already decided, Piedmont did pick up some momentum after Sarah Row and Dannie Evans won 6-3 at No. 3 doubles.

However, once singles play began, the Lions showed fight, winning the first four singles matches that were decided to blitz the Monarchs and clinch the match at 4-1.

Evans began the comeback with a dominant 6-1, 6-0 win at No. 6 to even the match at 1-1. Then, it was Alyssa McSpadden with a similarly clinical 6-2, 6-2 victory at No. 1 to give Piedmont the lead.

Freshman Caroline Morrison kept momentum on Piedmont's side with a 6-2, 6-2 win at No. 4.

Then, with the final three matches on court all tightly contested, it was senior Bri Laidman who delivered the clinch for Piedmont, winning a hard-fought two-setter, 6-4, 6-4 to ensure another Piedmont victory.

While Methodist was able to pick up a win at No. 3 singles, Jordan Ballard provided the exclamation point for the Lions, emerging victorious in three sets (6-2, 3-6, 6-2) at No. 5 to end the festivities.

Match 2: Piedmont 7, Meredith 0

In just the sixth ever meeting between Piedmont and Meredith and the first since 2019, the Lions left no doubt and cruised to a 7-0 sweep of the Avenging Angels.

The duo of senior Hollan Rabensdorf and the freshman Morrison closed out a quick 6-1 win at No. 3 doubles while Lauryn Leslie and Laidman did not drop a game for a 6-0 win at No. 2, clinching the doubles point for Piedmont. For good measure, Row and Ballard closed out a 6-2 win at No. 1 to keep momentum on the Lions' side heading into singles.

Piedmont did not let up in singles play, winning all six matches in straight sets and earning three quick wins to clinch the match. McSpadden was first, winning 6-1, 6-0 at No. 1 to pick up her second win of the day at the top spot in the lineup. Then, it was Olivia Carpenter's 6-1, 6-0 win at No. 3 that put the Lions within one of clinching.

The clinch came from sophomore Drea Robinson, who prevailed 6-3, 6-0 at No. 5. With the match in hand, the Lions did not let up, as Rabensdorf closed out a 6-1, 6-2 win at No. 6 while freshman Sarah Sanabia mirrored Robinson with a 6-3, 6-0 triumph at No. 4 before Brooklyn Bolch made it a clean sweep with a 6-1, 6-4 victory at No. 2.

With inclement weather forcing the schedule adjustment and the postponement of Piedmont's scheduled match Saturday at Guilford, the Lions are not scheduled to be back in action until March 1 at Belhaven, to open CCS play.

TURNING POINT:
- In the Methodist match, the Lions bounced back after dropping the doubles point to win four consecutive singles matches to clinch the win.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- McSpadden lost just five total games across two singles wins at No. 1.
- Laidman fought through a tough match at No. 2 singles against Methodist, but earned the clinch with a 6-4, 6-4 victory.
- Senior Hollan Rabensdorf picked up both a doubles and singles win against Meredith.

NEWS AND NOTES:
- Head Coach Trey Martin is undefeated in his career against both Methodist and Meredith, going a combined 9-0 against the USA South foes.

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.