NEWMAN PUNCHES RADFORD’S TICKET INTO QUARTERFINALS

ROCK HILL, S.C. – Ahead 3-2 with two matches remaining, sophomore Taylor Newman delivered the decisive victory at the top spot to advance Radford past Presbyterian College, 4-2, in the first round of the Big South Women's Tennis Championship Wednesday at the Winthrop Memorial Tennis Courts.

“That was a clutch win by Taylor,” head coach Bruce Harrison said. “To perform under pressure like she did is what you like to see as a coach. Meg and Allison were outstanding in their respective matches and we played well in doubles too. We are excited to advance and look forward to the challenge against Charleston Southern.”

Newman and Meg Napolitano were the first to finish in doubles competition as they dispatched Greer Ransom and Patricia Alves, 8-3. Radford took the doubles point and the 1-0 edge when Gemma Valls and Taylor Fay came from behind to down Lindsay Krause and Courtney Gardiner, 8-6.

Napolitano pushed the Highlanders (7-15) ahead 2-0 following her 6-0, 6-1 triumph over Krause at the fourth flight. After the Blue Hose (7-17) answered with a victory at No. 5 singles, Michael delivered a 6-4, 6-3 win over Haley Elliott in the sixth slot.

PC threatened to rally following a victory on court three to make the score 3-2 in favor of Radford. However, Newman slammed the door as she outlasted Ransom (0-6, 6-4, 6-3) at No. 1 singles to help the Highlanders advance.

Awaiting Radford in the quarterfinals will be No. 2 seed Charleston Southern. First serve is set for 12:30 p.m. Thursday from the Winthrop Memorial Tennis Courts.

No. 7 Radford (4) vs. No. 10 Presbyterian College (2)
Winthrop Memorial Tennis Courts (Rock Hill, S.C.)
Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Doubles competition
1. NEWMAN, Taylor / NAPOLITANO, Meg (RU) def. RANSOM, Greer / ALVES, Patricia (PC), 8-3
2. de LOACH, Caroline / ELLIOTT, Haley (PC) led BABIC, Hana / MICHAEL, Allison (RU), 6-5
3. FAY, Taylor / VALLS, Gemma (RU) def. KRAUSE, Lindsay / GARDINER, Courtney, 8-6

Order of finish: 1, 3*

Singles competition
1. NEWMAN, Taylor (RU) def. RANSOM, Greer (PC), 0-6, 6-4, 6-3
2. VALLS, Gemma (RU) led ALVES, Patricia (PC), 2-6, 6-3, 5-3
3. deLOACH, Caroline (PC) def. BABIC, Hana (RU), 6-2, 6-4
4. NAPOLITANO, Meg (RU) def. KRAUSE, Lindsay (PC), 6-0, 6-1
5. LEAHY, Lucia (PC) def. FAY, Taylor (RU), 6-1, 6-1
6. MICHAEL, Allison (RU) def. ELLIOTT, Haley (PC), 6-4, 6-4

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

Match Notes
No. 7 Radford (7-15)
No. 10 Presbyterian College (7-17)
Time – 3:30

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