CLINTON, S.C. – The Presbyterian College women's tennis team open the 2017 season with a doubleheader sweep of NC A&T and NC Central on Saturday afternoon in two different locations. The Blue Hose defeated the Aggies, 6-1, in Greensboro, N.C. in the morning, before topping the Eagles, 7-0, in Durham in the afternoon.
In the morning match against NC A&T, PC claimed two of three in doubles and five of six in singles. Tracy Johnson and Nicole Croxton teamed up for a 6-2 victory at No. 1 doubles, while Celine Schepers and Beth Taylor won by a score of 6-1 at No. 3.
Schepers and Johnson kept things rolling in singles, winning at No. 1 and 2, respectively. Schepers claimed a tight first set, 7-6 (8-6), before cruising in the second, 6-1. Johnson's match at No. 2 would ultimately go to three sets but she emerged victorious, 2-6, 6-4, 6-0.
Taylor, Croxton and Brittany Nuttall each won in straight sets on courts four, five and six, respectively. Taylor earned a flawless 6-0, 6-0 win at No. 4 in her first collegiate match. Croxton earned a 6-1, 6-3 victory on court five and Nuttall rounded out the match with a 7-6, 6-3 win on No. 6.
In the second match, PC improved upon its first performance with a 7-0 victory over NC Central. The Blue Hose won all nine matches to cap off a perfect day to start the 2017. Johnson and Croxton earned a 7-6 (7-3) win at No. 1 in doubles. Taylor and Schepers improve to 2-0 with a 6-1 win on court two and Katie Thompson and Mary Kathryn Dickson earned their first collegiate victory with a 6-2 win on court three.
In singles, five of the six matches would be decided in straight sets. Schepers claimed a 6-7 (9-11), 6-3 and 1-0 (10-5) victory on court one. Johnson went 6-4, 6-1 on court two and Taylor recorded 6-2, 6-4 win on court three. Croxton kept things going with a 6-4, 6-2 win at No. 4, followed by Nuttall's 6-1, 6-3 win on court five. Thompson capped it off with a 6-2, 6-0 win on court six to earn her first collegiate singles win.
The Blue Hose start 2-0 for the second straight season after winning their first five matches a year ago. They return to action on Tuesday afternoon at Georgia Southern, before hosting Charlotte and Savannah State in a home-opening doubleheader on Saturday.
