CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Georgia Southern, Elon and Appalachian State advanced in first round play of the Southern Conference women's tennis championships Wednesday at the Champions Club in Chattanooga, Tenn.
The No.7-seeded Georgia Southern Eagles came away with a 4-0 win over Western Carolina. After claiming the doubles point, the Eagles earned the No. 6 singles points in a walkover to take a 2-0 lead. Ashley Hungerford knocked off Katie Barry, 6-0, 6-0, to give the Eagles a 3-0 lead. GSU's Paola Garrido defeated Izabella Glinska, 6-1, 6-1 at No. 1 singles to clinch the match. Georgia Southern improved to 10-10 on the season while Western Carolina finished the season 2-16. Georgia Southern will take on No. 2 seeded-UNCG Thursday at 10:30 a.m.
The Phoenix (12-10) posted a 4-1 victory over Davidson (5-20). Frida Jansaker posted a 6-0, 6-2 win over Nisha Crouser to even the match at 1-1 after the Wildcats had won the doubles point. Viviana Stavreva captured a win for the Phoenix at No. 4 with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Brites Moniz-Soares. Bryn Khoury held off Alison Rauh, 6-2, 7-5 at No. 2 singles to push Elon's advantage to 3-1. Brian Berne's 6-1, 7-5 victory over Samantha Galainena gave the Phoenix the final margin of victory. Elon returns to the court Thursday at 10:30 a.m., when the Phoenix take on No. 3 seed Furman at 10:30 a.m.
Jennifer Ansari's 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 win over Haley Baird at No. 2 singles clinched the match for the Mountaineers who improved to 11-10 on the season. Wofford jumped out to a 1-0 advantage by claiming the doubles point. ASU evened the score as Kim-Lea Dinh topped Meagan Laframboise, 6-1, 6-1. After Julia Paulson gave the Terriers a 2-1 lead with a win at No. 4, ASU's Amanda Cash pulled the Mountaineers even with a 6-2, 6-1 win at No. 5 over Lucy Schermerhorn. The Mountaineers moved ahead, 3-2, when Ellie Linsell defeated Emilia Milovanovic, 6-4, 6-4. Wofford's Sarah Evans won a three-set decision over Jessica Thaggard at No. 3 singles, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 before Ansari's win sent Appalachian State to Thursday's quarterfinals. The Mountaineers will square off against No. 1 seeded College of Charleston Thursday at 8:30 a.m.