VALLS PUSHES WIN STREAK TO THREE FOR WOMEN’S TENNIS

BLACKSBURG, Va. – For the second-straight outing, Radford relied on a victory in the final match to prevail as the Highlanders edged Gardner-Webb, 4-3, Friday evening in Big South women's tennis action at the Burrows-Burleson Tennis Center.

The day got off to a great start as the Highlanders (6-11, 3-4 Big South) claimed the 1-0 favor following doubles competition. Evening their league record at 3-3, Taylor Newman and Meg Napolitano clinched the doubles point for Radford with their 8-4 decision at the top spot over Yasmin Doost and Rokia Sacko.

After falling behind 2-0, the Runnin' Bulldogs (7-10, 2-5 Big South) countered with triumphs on courts one and three to square the dual.

Napolitano propelled the Highlanders in front once more as the sophomore delivered a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Valeria Popko in the fourth slot. Sacko answered for Gardner-Webb with her 6-2, 6-3 win over Taylor Fay on court five to knot the score at 3-3.

Two days removed from watching Newman pull off a thrilling three-set victory to give RU the 4-3 win over Longwood, Gemma Valls captured some of her teammate's magic Friday. The sophomore rallied in each set to swipe a 7-5, 6-3 decision over Doost at No. 2 singles and give the Highlanders their third-straight conference triumph.

Looking to keep its sizzling play going, Radford returns to its home tennis courts Saturday, April 6 for a 1:00 p.m. league battle against Charleston Southern. The Lady Bucs enter the weekend as the second-place squad in the Big South at 9-5 overall and 5-1 in conference action.

Radford (4) vs. Gardner-Webb (3)
Burrows-Burleson Tennis Center (Blacksburg, Va.)
Friday, April 5, 2013

Doubles competition
1. Erica White / Jenny Lunde (GWU) def. Gemma Valls / Hana Babic (RU), 8-1
2. Taylor Newman / Meg Napolitano (RU) def. Yasmin Doost / Rokia Sacko (GWU), 8-4
3. Taylor Fay / Allison Michael (RU) won by forfeit

Order of finish: 3, 2*, 1

Singles competition
1. Erica White (GWU) def. Taylor Newman (RU), 6-0, 6-3
2. Gemma Valls (RU) def. Yasmin Doost (GWU), 7-5, 6-3
3. Jenny Lunde (GWU) def. Hana Babic (RU), 6-1, 6-0
4. Meg Napolitano (RU) def. Valeria Popko (GWU), 6-2, 6-3
5. Rokia Sacko (GWU) def. Taylor Fay (RU), 6-2, 6-3
6. Allison Michael (RU) won by forfeit

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

Match Notes
Radford (6-11, 3-4 Big South)
Gardner-Webb (7-11, 2-6 Big South)

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