BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University women's tennis returned to action in style Saturday night, taking down Radford 4-1 in an impressive show.
After winter weather canceled two matches in South Carolina this weekend, the Mountaineers (2-3) were itching to get out onto the court and showed it, hitting the Highlanders (0-5) with high energy from the get-go.
“This was a really good win for us tonight against a really talented Radford team,” said head coach Colin Crothers. “After everything that happened with the weather this weekend, it felt good to come back home and get our second-straight win.”
In doubles play, Mackenzie LaSure and Taylor Bygrave set the tone early by taking the No. 3 spot with a 6-1 win. Clare Cox and Heidi Swope fell behind early in the No. 1, but held strong and came all the way back to win 6-4, sealing the doubles point for App State.
The final doubles position was played out at the No. 2, where Megan Mullen and Melissa Machado fell in a tough, back-and-forth affair, 8-6.
Singles play saw much of the same for the Mountaineers, as Cox carried the hot racket to the No. 1 position, taking down Tarrannum Handa quickly in a 7-2, 7-0 match. Machado came back from behind at the No. 3, winning the first set 7-5 before Meili Martin defaulted due to illness in the second set while leading 2-1.
App State led 3-0 as Swope took on Taylor Fay at the No. 4. After being close through the first few points, Swope found her stride and finished the first set strong, winning 7-3. After set one, she continued to bring the heat, taking the second set handily 7-1 and securing match point for Appalachian.
The battle at the No. 2 was played out as match point was secured during its third set. LaSure was able to fight all the way back and take the first set 8-6 in a tiebreaker, but lost in the second set 7-2. Both players fought for every point in the third, but Natalie Sayer would end up with the win, taking it 7-2.
The Mountaineers will have the next week off before returning to the court on Saturday, Feb. 27, when they take on Emory University at Yonahlossee Racquet Club. First serve is set for 3 p.m.
