NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Belmont women's tennis team picked up a win in their season opener as they defeated Middle Tennessee 5-1 in a match played indoors on Friday afternoon at the Hadley Tennis Center in Nashville.
The Bruins (1-0) posted wins in five of six singles matches to earn the program's first victory over the Blue Raiders in 13 matches.
"What a great way to start the spring season," Belmont Director of Tennis Mauricio Antun told belmontbruins.com. "To see such a remarkable turnaround vs. Middle Tennessee - going from fighting to win sets against them to winning in convincing fashion 5-1 - demonstrates how much we have improved and the talent and dedication of our Belmont student-athletes. I'm extremely proud of our three freshmen who played their first collegiate match and won. We are very excited to see what's ahead."
At #2, freshman Gina Feistel swept Love-Star Alexis in straight sets 6-3, 6-2 to take an early 1-0 match lead. Fellow freshman Anastasiya Zholdakova extended the lead to 2-0 as she outlasted Zani Barnard in three sets: 6-2, 4-6, 6-2.
MTSU (1-3) earned their first win of the match as Lee Barnard beat senior Somer Henry in three sets: 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Belmont closed out the victory with three match victories. At position three, freshman Abi Solomon endured a back and forth battle before prevailing over Muskan Gupta in three sets: 7-6, 4-6, 6-1. Senior Meredith Roberts won at #5 over Noelle Mauro 6-3, 6-2, while senior Peyton Lee defeated Eloise Swarbrick in straight sets 6-2, 6-3.
The women's tennis team is back in action Saturday at 3:00pm as they host Lee University indoors at the Hadley Tennis Center.
Belmont 5, Middle Tennessee 1
Singles
1. Lee Barnard (MTSU ) d. Somer Henry (BEL) – 2-6, 6-3, 6-4
2. Gina Feistel (BEL) d. Love-Star Alexis (MTSU) – 6-3, 6-2
3. Abi Solomon (BEL) d. Muskan Gupta (MTSU) – 7-6, 4-6, 6-1
4. Anastasiya Zholdakova (BEL) d. Zani Barnard – 6-2, 4-6, 6-2
5. Meredith Roberts (BEL) d. Noelle Mauro (MTSU) – 6-3, 6-2
6. Peyton Lee (BEL) d. Eloise Swarbrick (MTSU) – 6-2, 6-3
