RADFORD OPENS SEASON WITH 6-1 WIN OVER NC A&T

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GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Radford women's tennis team opened its season with a dominating 6-1 victory over North Carolina A&T Monday afternoon as the Highlanders swept through doubles play and only dropped four sets in singles action.

The season opening win is the first by the Highlanders since Jan. 24, 2014 in a 4-1 decision over UNC Charlotte. Radford defeated the Aggies 5-1 a season ago in a neutral site contest in Blacksburg, Va.

"The first match of the season is always challenging, but we competed well and were able take some close matches," said head coach Jessica Giuggioli.

Natalie Sayer and Tyler Blalock opened the match with a 6-3 win in No. 1 doubles, while Jeanine Acierto and Zoe Fraser followed with a 6-3 victory over their own to secure the doubles point.

Drousile Dzeubou and Lotti Meszaros wrapped up doubles play with a 6-3 victory.

Dzeubou started off singles play with a quick 6-0, 6-4 win over Khalia Powell to hand the Highlanders a 2-0 lead, needing only two more points to clinch the match.

The Aggies picked up their only point of the match in No. 5 singles as Nadia Hilton-Adams defeated Fraser 6-3, 6-4 to pull within 2-1.

Blalock and Meszaros battled back after being even through the first two sets. The freshmen duo ensured the Highlanders win as Blalock edged Angelica Martinez 6-2, 2-6, 6-2 in No. 4 singles to make the score 3-1. Meszaros clinched the match with a hard-fought 3-6, 6-1, 6-1 decision over Renata Ruiz Rabadan in No. 3 singles.

Radford will return to action on Feb. 3 in a neutral site match against Missouri in Blacksburg, Va.

Singles Competition

1. Drousile Dzeubou (Radford) def. Khalia Powell (NC A&T) 6-0, 6-4
2. Natalie Sayer (Radford) def. Sheyla Ramirez (NC A&T) 6-4, 7-6 (5)
3. Lotti Meszaros (Radford) def. Renata Ruiz Rabadan (NC A&T) 3-6, 6-1, 6-1
4. Tyler Blalock (Radford) def. Angelica Martinez (NC A&T) 6-2, 2-6, 6-2
5. Nadia Hilton-Adams (NC A&T) def. Zoe Fraser (Radford) 6-3, 6-4
6. Jeanine Acierto (Radford) def. Kanishka Chawla (NC A&T) 7-5, 6-4

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

Doubles Competition

1. Sayer/Blalock (Radford) def. Ramirez/Ruiz (NC A&T) 6-4
2. Dzeubou/Meszaros (Radford) def. Hilton-Adams /Powell (NC A&T) 6-3
3. Acierto/Fraser (Radford) def. Martnez/Chawla (NC A&T) 6-3

Order of finish: (1,3,2)

Match Notes
Radford (1-0)
North Carolina A&T (0-3)

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Players Mentioned

Drousile Dzeubou: 5' 10"; Sophomore

Natalie Sayer: 5' 8"; Senior

Tyler Blalock: 5' 6"; Freshman

Zoe Fraser: 5' 9"; Freshman

Jeanine Acierto: 5' 2"; Freshman

Lotti Meszaros: 5' 5"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Drousile Dzeubou
: 5' 10"; Sophomore

Natalie Sayer
: 5' 8"; Senior

Tyler Blalock
: 5' 6"; Freshman

Zoe Fraser
: 5' 9"; Freshman

Jeanine Acierto
: 5' 2"; Freshman

Lotti Meszaros
: 5' 5"; Freshman