College Tennis News - #29 'Dogs dominate Trojans 8-1 to grab share of first place in SAC

Wingate, N.C.-----The #29 Wingate University women’s tennis team moved into a tie for first place in the South Atlantic Conference after a dominant 8-1 win over the Trojans of Anderson (S.C.) University Tuesday afternoon at the Wingate Tennis Complex. The Bulldogs pick up their third straight win over AU and move to 13-4 overall and 6-1 in the SAC. The Trojans fall to 10-7 overall and finish conference play at 8-1.

“I was really excited with the way we came out in the doubles matches,” Wingate head coach Michael Cabana says. “We had much energy and knew exactly what was on the line as far as the conference standings. The team knew they had to prove themselves again after picking up their first loss against Tusculum and today they did that in a big way.”

The Trojans came in to the match one win away from their first SAC title but defending champion Wingate took early control of the match and never looked back. Sophomore Olivia Poole (Boca Raton, Fla.) and freshman Tiffany Williams (Cary, N.C.) posted an 8-3 win at number two doubles to start the afternoon. The number one doubles team of sophomore Ali Evers (Rossville, N.C.) and freshman Becca Thomas (Alpharetta, Ga.) finished off doubles play with an 8-4 victory to give Wingate a 3-0 lead heading to singles.

Evers put Wingate on the edge of victory at number one singles with a 7-5, 6-2 win over junior Camie Beaulieu-Brunet (Montreal, Canada). Thomas would follow her doubles teammate with an identical victory in number two singles to clinch the victory for the Bulldogs.

Poole and Williams both followed with victories to remain perfect on the afternoon. Poole knocked off Trojan sophomore Avery Owens (Clinton, S.C.) 6-0, 5-7, 6-4 to make it 6-0 Wingate. Williams finished off Anderson freshman Lindsay Gregory (Simpsonville, N.C.) in straight sets to make it 7-0. Junior Kelli Ferguson (Concord, N.C.) finished off the match with a 7-5, 6-1 win to improve to 11-2 on the year, all at number five singles.

Wingate will have a quick turnaround, playing their final home conference match of the season Wednesday at 3 p.m. against Newberry College. The Bulldogs will honor senior Samantha Alschlager (Indian Trail, N.C.) before the match. Anderson will travel to Limestone Thursday to battle the Saints.