Elon Tops Wofford in SoCon Women’s Tennis Tournament Opening Round

MT. PLEASANT, S.C. – The seventh-seeded Elon University women’s tennis team advanced to the second round of the 2012 Southern Conference Championship on Thursday, April 19, after handing tenth-seeded Wofford a 4-0 setback at the College of Charleston Tennis Center.

True freshman Barbora Lazarova clinched the win for the maroon and gold at number four, battling Wofford’s Guinn Garcia for the win in straight sets. Lazarova did not allow a lengthy rain delay to deter her after an impressive 7-5 win in the first set, as the rookie carried the momentum into the second set for a 6-2 victory to give Elon the 4-0 victory.

Elon (16-8) will take on second-seeded College of Charleston tomorrow at 1 p.m. With the win, the Phoenix is tied with the 2010 squad for the most wins in a single season in the Division I era.

The Phoenix quickly took a 1-0 lead after winning the doubles point. Jordan Johnston and Frida Jansaker were the first to finish at number one, claiming an 8-4 win over Wofford’s Sarah Evans and Garcia. The duo was up 3-2, and after Wofford got a break, Johnston and Jansaker bounced back to remain ahead, 4-3. Up 7-4, Jansaker served for the match and gave Elon the 8-4 victory. Johnston and Jansaker improve to 20-2 on the year with the win.

Lazarova and Maria Camara Ruiz were the second doubles team to finish, defeating Wofford’s Julia Paulson and Emily Przystawski, 8-2, at number two to give Elon the doubles point.

Viviana Stavreva helped Elon take a 2-0 advantage moving into singles play, as the sophomore defeated the Terriers’ Othilia Lindqvist in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3, at number five. Stavreva improves to 16-6 on the year with the victory.

Camara Ruiz put the Phoenix within a point of clinching the match, defeating Wofford’s Przystawski at number six, 6-1, 6-2, to make it a 3-0 match. Camara Ruiz has won eight of her last 10 singles matches and improves to 14-6 this season with the win.

Lazarova finished the Terriers off at number five, giving the Phoenix the win.

Elon has defeated Wofford in seven straight meetings dating back to the 2007 season.