NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – The Salisbury University women's tennis team opened the 2016 season on Saturday with a pair of matches, coming up with two impressive victories, topping Roanoke College and Methodist University.
Salisbury 9, Roanoke 0
The Sea Gulls opened the year with a sweep of the Maroons, claiming all nine matches beginning by surrendering just six total games in the three doubles matches.
Junior Claudia Lohn and sophomore Megan Soderlund rolled to an 8-0 win at No. 2 doubles with senior Natalie Savage and junior Zoe Moffat claiming an 8-2 win at No. 1.
Senior Megan Knapp and freshman Taylor Cooper teamed up for an 8-4 win at No. 3 doubles for the 3-0 lead heading to singles play.
Salisbury claimed four straight-set wins in singles play led by 6-1, 6-1 wins at No. 1, from Savage, and No. 4, from Soderlund. Moffat was a 6-2, 6-2 winner at No. 2 singles and Lohn gave up just one additional game with a 6-3, 6-2 win at No. 3.
Cooper and Knapp closed out the win with three-set victories. Cooper, at No. 5, won her first set 7-6, before falling in a tiebreaker in the second. In the third set, Cooper closed out the win, 10-8.
Knapp dropped her first set, 6-1, but came back to earn the win with sets of 6-3 and 10-1.
Salisbury 6, Methodist 3
The nightcap for the Sea Gulls was a harder-fought match with a number close contests, though the Sea Gulls (2-0) were able to claim the victory, beginning with two points in doubles play.
Savage and Moffat were able to grab an 8-3 win at No. 1, while Knapp and Cooper picked up an 8-4 win at No. 3 doubles.
Lohn and Soderlund narrowly fell at No. 2, dropping an 8-6 decision.
Salisbury claimed the top four singles matches, three of which went three sets, to collect the victory. Savage dropped the opening set at No. 1 singles, 6-4, before coming back for the final two sets, 6-2 and 6-3.
Salisbury's only straight-set win came at No. 2, where Moffat was good for a 6-2, 6-2 victory.
Lohn and Soderlund earned the Sea Gulls' final two points in singles play at No. 3 and No. 4, respectively.
Lohn fell in the first-set tie-breaker, 7-2, but came back for the second set, 6-2, and closed things out with a 6-2 win in the third set. Soderlund split the first two sets 6-3, 4-6, and was able to seal the win with a 6-2 showing in the third set.
Cooper and Knapp both fell in singles play, with Cooper taking a 7-6 (7-2), 7-5 loss at No. 5 and Knapp falling at No. 6 singles, 7-5, 6-1.
The Sea Gulls return to action on Sunday, February 14, remaining in Virginia to take on Christopher Newport University in the Capital Athletic Conference opener for each team. That match is set to begin at 10 a.m.
