NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Belmont Women's Tennis closed the home portion of its schedule with a win on Thursday afternoon. The Bruins (4-15, 2-6 OVC) defeated crosstown rival Tennessee State (8-8, 0-8 OVC), 6-1, at the Centennial Sportsplex outdoor courts.
BU got off to a strong start by easily taking the doubles point. The senior duo of Laura Kent (Kangaroo Valley, Australia) and Laura Van Eeckhoudt (Overjise, Belgium) went unchallenged at No. 1, winning 6-0. At No. 2, seniors Kendall Warren (New Braunfels, Texas) and Lindsey Whitehead (St. Louis, Mo.) also notched an easy win, 6-2, while at No. 3 the pair of Maddie Gilley (Aurora, Ohio) and Abbie Mather (Louisville, Ky.) were ahead, 4-2, before the wins in the other matches made theirs unfinished.
The momentum carried over into singles play for the Bruins. Belmont rolled to straight sets wins at Nos. 1-3, courtesy of Kent (6-0, 6-2), Van Eeckhoudt (6-0, 6-3), and Whitehead (6-2, 6-0). Warren and junior Suzanna Stapler (Alpharetta, Ga.) battled into tiebreakers but went on to take victories at Nos. 4 and 6, respectively.
Belmont returns to action on Friday, April 14 at Jacksonville State. Match time is set for Noon.
