DANVILLE, Va. Methodist's women's tennis team made it 18 straight after downing host Averett University, 6-3, Monday afternoon at the Averett Tennis Courts.
The Monarchs, ranked 20th in the ITA Atlantic South regional rankings, take sole possession of second place in the USA South Athletic Conference East Division standings, shifting the Cougars one spot back into third place.
THE ESSENTIALS
Final score: Methodist def. Averett, 6-3
Records: Methodist 12-7 (5-1 USA South), Averett 10-5 (4-2)
Location: Averett Tennis Courts; Danville, Va.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Methodist took a 2-1 lead into singles play after Allison Himes and Sydni Lewis at No. 3 doubles and Ashton Walker and Abby Caddick at 2-doubles earned the initial points of the match with victories.
- Himes took a straight-set (6-1, 6-1) win at 2-singles for the third Methodist point, and Taylor Jackson put the Monarchs on the brink of clinching the match with her 1 and 3 victory at the No. 3 spot.
- Averett battled for a point at No. 1 where Heidi Sarkkinen, ranked 16th in the Atlantic South region in singles, downed Walker in straight sets, then staved off the clincher with another straight-set win at 4-singles.
- Caddick provided the clinching fifth point for Methodist, rolling to a 6-0, 6-1 win at No. 5, followed by another solid outing from Jessica Tucker who steamrolled her way to a win at 6-singles by the same score.
- The Monarchs are 20-1 against Averett since 1997. The Cougars' last triumph over Methodist was in March 2000.
NEXT UP
- Methodist will travel to Raleigh, N.C., for its next matches, taking on host Meredith College in a Saturday doubleheader, only the first of which will count in the USA South standings.
- Averett entertains Greensboro College Tuesday afternoon in a league match.
