Women's Tennis | 4/10/2010 2:53:41 PM

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - The Methodist women's tennis team had a share of the USA South regular season trophy before Saturday's match even started, but finished with the 7-2 win over Christopher Newport to claim the title outright.

The Monarchs opened Saturday with special recognition to upperclassmen Heather Brayton, Kaitlin Flaherty and Jennifer Hamel in what could be their final home match at Methodist University.

Methodsit started off strong with three doubles wins. Flaherty and Katherine Meindl rolled through the Captains for the 8-0 win at number one. Dana Powell and Rachel Purser finished with the 8-3 win at number two and Brayton and Hamel teamed up for the 8-5 win at number three for the 3-0 lead.

Flaherty kept up the pressure with the 6-0, 6-0 win at number one singles. The Captains won three and four singles with Purser falling 6-4, 1-6, 1-0 (10-5) and Brayton losing 6-2, 6-4. Powell clinched the win with a 6-4, 6-3 victory at number five. Meindl won 7-5, 6-1 win at number two and Shelton won 4-6, 6-3, 1-0 (10-3).

With the win, the Monarchs also broke the program record for consecutive wins with 16.

The USA South Tournament begins on Friday, April 16 in Burlington, N.C. The Monarchs earn the #1 seed and will take on the winner of the #8/#9 play-in match on Friday at 9 a.m.

Box Score

USA South Tournament Web Site