WOMEN’S TENNIS EDGED AT UNBEATEN UNC ASHEVILLE

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RESULTS

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Natalie Sayer and Taylor Fay both went 2-0 Saturday evening, however, their strong play was not enough to help Radford defeat unbeaten UNC Asheville. The Bulldogs prevailed, 4-3, in the Big South women's tennis opener for both squads at the Asheville Racquet Club.

Sayer and Fay improved to 2-2 as a doubles tandem, cruising to an 8-1 decision over Ameryn Soldier and Hunter Hall at the third flight. Asheville (6-0, 1-0 Big South) countered with wins at the top two positions to capture the doubles point.

In singles, Sayer leveled the match at 1-1 following her 6-1, 6-1 triumph at No. 1 over Erika Rivero. It was the freshman's first collegiate dual victory of the season.

Fay followed her doubles partner by rallying for a three-set (2-6, 7-6, 6-3) win over Christine Boissevain at the fourth flight. Gemma Valls posted the final point for Radford (0-4, 0-1 Big South) at No. 3, outlasting Soldier in three sets (4-6, 6-1, 6-2).

"We need to look deep inside ourselves to see and understand our approach to competing and winning," head coach Martin Sayer pointed out. "Our performance was not one that Radford deserves. This is something I truly believe can be a quick fix, but only with 100 percent effort within us. If we do this, we will reach way above our potential."

The Highlanders are next in action at Richmond on Monday, March 2. RU is set to clash with the Spiders at 2 p.m. in the Commonwealth's capital.

UNC Asheville (4) def. Radford (3)
Asheville Racquet Club (Asheville, N.C.)
Saturday, February 21, 2015

Doubles competition
1. Erika Rivero / Emily McNall (UNCA) def. Taylor Newman / Gemma Valls (RU), 8-2
2. Christine Boissevain / Lauren Brooker (UNCA) def. Grace Sarver / Meg Napolitano (RU), 8-3
3. Natalie Sayer / Taylor Fay (RU) def. Ameryn Soldier / Hunter Hall (UNCA), 8-1

Order of finish: 1, 3, 2*

Singles competition
1. Natalie Sayer (RU) def. Erika Rivero (UNCA), 6-1, 6-1
2. Emily McNall (UNCA) def. Taylor Newman (RU), 6-1, 4-6, 6-4
3. Gemma Valls (RU) def. Ameryn Soldier (UNCA), 4-6, 6-1, 6-2
4. Taylor Fay (RU) def. Christine Boissevain (UNCA), 2-6, 7-6, 6-3
5. Amalie Davidsen (UNCA) def. Grace Sarver (RU), 6-2, 7-5
6. Hunter Hall (UNCA) def. Meg Napolitano (RU), 6-2, 4-6, 6-4

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

Match Notes
Radford (0-4, 0-1 Big South)
UNC Asheville (6-0, 1-0 Big South)

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Players Mentioned

Taylor Fay: 5' 4"; Junior

Meg Napolitano: 5' 9"; Senior

Taylor Newman: 5' 2"; Senior

Grace Sarver: 5' 2"; Junior

Gemma Valls: 5' 4"; Senior

Natalie Sayer: 5' 8"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Taylor Fay
: 5' 4"; Junior

Meg Napolitano
: 5' 9"; Senior

Taylor Newman
: 5' 2"; Senior

Grace Sarver
: 5' 2"; Junior

Gemma Valls
: 5' 4"; Senior

Natalie Sayer
: 5' 8"; Freshman