RALEIGH, N.C. Methodist shut out host Meredith College, 9-0, Wednesday afternoon in the first match of a USA South Athletic Conference women's tennis doubleheader against the Avenging Angels.
In a non-conference dual that immediately followed, Meredith defeated the Monarchs' altered lineup, 5-4.
THE ESSENTIALS
Final scores: Methodist def. Meredith, 9-0*; Meredith def. Methodist, 5-4 (* USA South match)
Records: Methodist 13-8 (6-1 USA South), Meredith 5-8 (3-3)
Location: Meredith Tennis Complex; Raleigh, N.C.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- A sweep of the doubles matches, and their scores, hinted at the dominating afternoon for Methodist.
- Taylor Jackson and Jill Lawrence at No. 1 doubles (8-2 winners), Ashton Walker and Abby Caddick at 2-doubles (8-1) and Allison Himes and Sydni Lewis at No. 3 (8-0) allowed a total of just three games to slip away before singles action began.
- Each of Methodist's singles players won in straight sets, beginning with Jessica Tucker's blanking (6-0, 6-0) of Sarah Porter at the No. 6 spot.
- Jill Lawrence earned the clinching point with a love and 1 victory at No. 4.
- Walker at No. 1, Himes at 2, Jackson at 3 and Abby Caddick at 5 each surrendered no more than three games within a set to close out the league win.
- A juggled line-up in the non-conference nightcap saw the Avenging Angels sneak into singles action with a 2-1 lead after winning the Nos. 1 and 3 bouts during doubles play.
- Playing single pro sets in singles, Methodist evened the score with Caddick's 8-2 triumph at No. 2, then moved in front after Lawrence won by the same score at the 1-singles spot.
- Meredith picked up a tying win at No. 6, inched in front with a victory at No. 4, but surrendered the advantage with Tucker's 8-3 win at No. 3.
- One service break proved to be the difference in the deciding match at No. 5 where Emily Wilkinson scratched out an 8-6 over the Monarchs' Casey Carroll.
UP NEXT
- Methodist will host Salem College Saturday at noon in a regular-season-ending conference match at the Gene Clayton Tennis Center.
- Meredith takes cross-town rival William Peace University on the Pacers' courts Thursday evening.