Trojans split dual matches on final day in S.C.

FLORENCE, S.C. – On the final day at the City of Florence Invitational, the Trojans posted a split after claiming a 4-2 win over Bluefield State before suffering a 4-3 loss to Lenoir-Rhyne on Feb. 4.

With the split, the University of Mount Olive women’s tennis team moved to 1-4 overall after playing three dual matches to open the spring campaign. The Trojans continue a full spring schedule with seven dual matches this month, including four at home.

Against Bluefield State, Mount Olive secured the doubles point after registering two wins in the session. Senior Liza Voloshyna and junior Nele Weber posted a 6-3 win in the first position. Senior Ingrid Montserrat and freshman Oriana Izarra won in the second doubles. In the third slot, the match went unfinished with junior Jessica Aylward and freshman Lea Edelstein leading 5-3.

The Trojans won three of five singles matches to secure the 4-2 win over the Big Blue. At the first singles, Monserrat fell by a 6-2, 6-2 margin. Voloshyna responded with a 7-5, 6-2 victory in the second position before Izarra registered a 6-3, 6-4 win in the third slot.  In the fourth singles, Weber delivered a 6-3, 6-0 victory, but Aylward was dealt a 6-3, 6-2 in the fifth slot. Freshman Harshri Asher, a spring addition to the team, held a 6-2, 3-2 advantage in the sixth position in an unfinished match.

Against Lenoir-Rhyne, the Bears captured the doubles point after winning a pair of matches. Montserrat and Izarra suffered a 6-1 defeat in second doubles, while Aylward and Edelstein fell by a 6-4 margin in the third position.

Lenoir-Rhyne edged out UMO in the singles session by claiming three of the six matches. Montserrat dropped a 6-3, 6-4 decision in the first slot before Voloshyna answered with a 6-0, 6-1 win in the second singles. In the third position, Izarra suffered a 6-2, 7-6 (9-7) loss before Weber claimed a 6-2, 6-4 victory in the fourth slot. The Bears earned the match win after Aylward fell by a 6-1, 6-1 margin, while Asher secured her first collegiate win by a score of 6-2, 0-6, 6-4.

— From University of Mount Olive Athletics