From Emory University Athletics
The Emory University women's tennis team, ranked second in Division III, opened play at 2015 NCAA Division III Women's Tennis Championships on Friday after a first-round bye, defeating Webster University 5-0 in the second round of play, hosted by the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee.
The Eagles will take on host and 12th-ranked Sewanee in the third round on Saturday at 12:30 pm CT, with the winner advancing to the NCAA Division III Quarterfinals in Mason, Ohio on Monday, May 18th. Sewanee upset 11th-ranked Washington University (Mo.) its second-round match, claiming a thrilling 5-4 victory over the Bears.
Emory defeated Sewanee 8-1 at the Woodruff Physical Education Center earlier in the season, improving 38-12 all-time against the Tigers. The Eagles will be aiming for their 27thappearance in the NCAA Quarterfinals, and their eighth in as many years.
The Eagles jumped out to a quick start on Friday against Webster with a sweep of doubles play to take a 3-0 lead. At first doubles, freshman Anna Fuhr and sophomore Michelle Satterfield earned an 8-1 win over Marissa Lewis and Kaylen Kress, while Emory sophomore Katarina Su and freshman Bridget Harding defeated Monica Behrle and Jesse Steffens-Willis 8-0 in the second doubles contest. Rounding out the sweep, junior Madison Gordon and senior captain Danielle Truitt claimed an 8-1 win over Stephanie Lass and Chelsea Foster.
Needed wins in just two of the singles matches to secure the team win and end the match, Harding at fourth singles and Gordon at fifth singles obliged. Harding defeated Steffens-Willis 6-0, 6-0 in her match, while Gordon downed Lass 6-0, 6-0 as well.
Emory was leading in each of the other four singles matches as well. Satterfield (first singles), Su (third singles) and freshman Julie Fowler (sixth singles) each won the first set of their matches 6-0, while sophomore Melissa Goodman (second singles) led 4-1 when play was stopped.
The Eagles improved to 17-3 overall with the win, while Webster's season came to a close with an overall record of 15-5.