LIBERTY DOWNS WOMEN’S TENNIS, 6-1

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RADFORD, Va. – Sara Andrade was the lone Highlander to record a point for the home side Wednesday afternoon as Liberty defeated Radford, 6-1, in Big South women's tennis action at the Radford University Tennis Complex.

With the dual already decided, Andrade prevailed in straight sets (6-4, 6-3) at No. 6 singles to secure her first Big South win of the year.

Despite the lopsided result, the Highlanders (6-9, 1-3 Big South) made a strong push to tighten the match. After falling behind 1-0 by losing the doubles point, Radford got off to a slow start in singles. However, RU rebounded with strong second sets to make things interesting.

The Flames (11-8, 6-2 Big South) pushed their advantage to 3-0 with victories on courts 5 and 3. Grace Sarver led most of her second set against Nicola Wellman at No. 4 singles before her opponent rallied late to earn a 7-5 triumph. Wellman's 6-1, 7-5 win clinched the match for Liberty.

Also in a tight second set was Gemma Valls, who forced Brittany Yang into a tiebreaker on court two. Yang outlasted Valls, 7-2, en route to her 6-3, 7-6 (7-2) win. In the final battle of the day, Belen Rivera edged Taylor Newman (6-4, 7-5) at the top flight.

Radford opens a three-match road swing Saturday in Clinton, S.C. against Presbyterian College. Action gets underway at 10 a.m.

Liberty (6) def. Radford (1)
Radford University Tennis Complex (Radford, Va.)
Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Doubles competition
1. Taylor Newman / Gemma Valls (RU) def. Rebekah Jenkins / Maria Kvhal (LU), 7-7 (4-3) won by retirement
2. Brittany Yang / Belen Rivera (LU) def. Meg Napolitano / Grace Sarver (RU), 8-4
3. Cameron Richard / Valerie Thong (LU) def. Gisela Garcia / Taylor Fay (RU), 8-0

Order of finish: 3, 2*, 1

Singles competition
1. Belen Rivera (LU) def. Taylor Newman (RU), 6-4, 7-5
2. Brittany Yang (LU) def. Gemma Valls (RU), 6-3, 7-6 (7-2)
3. Rebekah Jenkins (LU) def. Meg Napolitano (RU), 6-3, 6-3
4. Nicola Wellman (LU) def. Grace Sarver (RU) 6-1, 7-5
5. Mariely Hassey (LU) def. Gisela Garcia (RU), 6-0, 6-0
6. Sara Andrade (RU) def. Lauren Mabe (LU), 6-4, 6-3

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

Match Notes
Radford (6-9, 1-3 Big South)
Liberty (11-8, 6-2 Big South)

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