RADFORD DROPS BIG SOUTH OPENER TO LONGWOOD, 4-3

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FARMVILLE, Va. – Radford narrowly missed out on collecting its first win of the season, dropping a heartbreaking 4-3 decision to Longwood in the Big South season opener, Saturday afternoon at Lancer Courts.

Longwood opened with sweep in doubles action, controlling an early 2-0 lead.

Natalie Sayer picked up Radford's the first win on the day in No. 1 singles as Fallon Burger withdrew from the match.

The Lancers added two more victories in No. 4 and 5 singles, controlling a 3-1 margin.

RU evened the match as Meili Martin and Tarrannum Handa picked up big wins in No. 3 and 2 singles respectively. Martin defeated Isis Gill-Reid (6-2, 3-6, 6-4) and Handa defeated Anna Pelak (6-3, 4-6, 6-4) to knot the match three.

Tied at three a piece, the match came down to the No. 6 singles. Longwood (4-4) earned the 4-3 Big South win as Maria Coronel defeated Claire Nguyen (6-0, 6-2).

The Highlanders (0-6) return to action on Tuesday, traveling to Charleston Southern for another Big South match.

Longwood (4) def. Radford (3)
Lancer Courts (Farmville, Va.)
Saturday, February 27, 2016

Doubles competition
1. Fallon Burger / Isis Gill-Reid (LWU) def. Natalie Sayer / Meili Martin (RU), 7-6 (7-0)
2. Anna Pelak / Mason Thomas (LWU) def. Tarrannum Handa / Grace Sarver (RU), 6-3
3. Paloma Alatorre / Maria Coronel (LWU) def. Taylor Fay / Karlie Pope (RU), 6-3

Order of finish: (3,2*,1)

Singles competition
1. Natalie Sayer (RU) def. Fallon Burger (LWU), 6-1, 3-2, WD
2. Tarrannum Handa (RU) def. Anna Pelak (LWU), 6-3, 4-6, 6-4
3. Meili Martin (RU) def. Isis Gill-Reid (LWU), 6-2, 3-6, 6-4
4. Paloma Alatorre (LWU) def. Taylor Fay (RU), 7-5, 6-2
5. Mason Thomas (LWU) def. Grace Sarver (RU), 6-2, 6-3
6. Maria Coronel (LWU) def. Claire Nguyen (RU), 6-0, 6-2

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

Match Notes
Radford (0-6)
Longwood (4-4)

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Players Mentioned

Taylor Fay: 5' 4"; Senior

Grace Sarver: 5' 2"; Senior

Natalie Sayer: 5' 8"; Sophomore

Meili Martin: 5' 2"; Redshirt Freshman

Claire Nguyen: 5' 3"; Freshman

Karlie Pope: 5' 5"; Sophomore

Tarrannum Handa: 5' 6"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Taylor Fay
: 5' 4"; Senior

Grace Sarver
: 5' 2"; Senior

Natalie Sayer
: 5' 8"; Sophomore

Meili Martin
: 5' 2"; Redshirt Freshman

Claire Nguyen
: 5' 3"; Freshman

Karlie Pope
: 5' 5"; Sophomore

Tarrannum Handa
: 5' 6"; Freshman