VALLS, NAPOLITANO GUIDE WOMEN’S TENNIS AGAINST CHANTICLEERS

BLACKSBURG, Va. – Sophomores Gemma Valls and Meg Napolitano picked up straight-set victories at No. 1 and No. 3 singles, respectively, but Radford could not quite pull off the team win as Coastal Carolina defeated the Highlanders, 5-2, in Big South women's tennis action from Burrows-Burleson Tennis Center Friday evening.

By sweeping the three doubles matches, the Chanticleers (4-3, 1-0 Big South) carried a 1-0 edge into singles action. Coastal extended its lead to 3-0 after claiming decisions at the third and second positions.

However, the Highlanders (0-6, 0-1 Big South) embarked on an impressive comeback, led by Valls and Napolitano. At the top flight, Valls easily won the first set over CCU's Shelby Bates, 6-2. The second frame did not come as easy, as the Spaniard had to dig out of a 4-2 hole to register the 6-4 come-from-behind triumph.

Equally as stunning was Napolitano at the sixth slot. The Charlottesville, Va. native pounced on her opposition right from the start, en route to the 6-3, 6-3 decision. More importantly, Radford closed to within 3-2 in the match.

The Chants clinched the dual when Kortney Kowal downed freshman Taylor Fay (6-3, 6-3) at No. 5 singles.

Radford heads north to The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va. for its next match. Awaiting the Highlanders in the Mountain State will be the Yellow Jackets of West Virginia State (15-1). First serve is set for 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 3.

Radford vs. Coastal Carolina
Burrows-Burleson Tennis Center (Blacksburg, Va.)
Friday, March 1, 2013

Doubles Competition
1. Shelby Bates / Kortney Kowal (CCU) def. Taylor Newman / Meg Napolitano (RU), 8-4
2. Vanessa Ortiz / Mikaela Davies (CCU) def. Hana Babic / Allison Michael (RU), 8-2
3. Dominique Dewitt / Libby Scott (CCU) def. Gemma Valls / Taylor Fay (RU), 8-2

Order of finish: 1, 2, 3

Singles Competition
1. Gemma Valls (RU) def. Shelby Bates (CCU), 6-2, 6-4
2. Libby Scott (CCU) def. Taylor Newman (RU), 6-0, 6-2
3. Mikaela Davies (CCU) def. Hana Babic (RU), 4-0 (retired)
4. Meg Napolitano (RU) def. Alicia Robinson (CCU), 6-3, 6-3
5. Kortney Kowal (CCU) def. Taylor Fay (RU), 6-3, 6-3
6. Vanessa Ortiz (CCU) def. Allison Michael (RU), 7-5, 6-2

Order of finish: 3, 2, 1, 4, 5, 6

Match Notes
Coastal Carolina (4-3, 1-0 Big South)
Radford (0-6, 0-1 Big South)

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