Elon Women’s Tennis Takes Down Charlotte, 5-2

ELON, N.C. – The Phoenix earned the all-important doubles point, and Erica Braschi clinched the victory in singles action as the Elon University women’s tennis team defeated Charlotte 5-2 on Friday, March 18, at the Jimmy Powell Tennis Center.

Elon improved to 6-9 overall with the win and the 49ers fell to 4-6 overall with the loss. Braschi clinched the win at No. 2 singles with a tough 7-5, 7-6 (7-5) victory over Tai Martin.

“It was a hard-fought and good team win today for us against a good Charlotte team,” said head coach Elizabeth Anderson. “I think the energy was good with our team today and we’ve been talking about that, coming together and fighting hard as a team. I think we did that very well today.”

HIGHLIGHTS
Charlotte took the early advantage in doubles as Tyler Baker and Macy Vonderschmidt won 6-4 at No. 3. Taylor Casey and Braschi knotted up the doubles point at one match apiece with a 6-4 win on court two, setting up court one with a chance to clinch the point.

Kirsten Ward and Natalia Janowicz came through, clinching the doubles point and giving the Phoenix a 1-0 lead in the match with a 7-5 victory at No. 1. “We came together and played well in doubles,” said Anderson. “The doubles point made a big difference in the match.”

In singles action, Janowicz and Zenoni earned quick victories on their respective courts to give Elon a 3-0 advantage in the match. Janowicz took No. 3 singles, 6-2, 6-1, and Zenoni earned a 6-1, 6-3 win at No. 4 singles. “Having Suzanne [Zenoni] and Natalia [Janowicz] win convincingly that gave us really good momentum and set up Erica [Braschi] and Olivia [Lucas] to clinch the match,” explained Anderson.

Charlotte brought the match within a point as Sierra Stone won 6-4, 7-5 at No. 5 singles and Alexandra Lee earned a convincing 6-4, 6-1 win on the bottom court.

Braschi earned her fifth straight singles victory and clinched an Elon win with a hard-fought 7-5, 7-6 (7-5) win over Martin at No. 2 singles. Martin typically plays No. 1 singles for the 49ers. Olivia Lucas closed out the 5-2 victory at No. 1 singles. She battled back after falling in the first set to earn a 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 win.

UP NEXT
The Phoenix plays one match next week on Monday, March 21, at College of Charleston for a 2 p.m. match. Elon returns home 10 days later on Thursday, March 31, to host the Delaware at the Jimmy Powell Tennis Center. The CAA matchup will begin at 2 p.m.

Tennis Match Results
Charlotte vs Elon
Mar 18, 2016 at Elon, N.C.
(Jimmy Powell Tennis Center)
Elon 5, Charlotte 2

Singles competition
1. Olivia Lucas (ELON) def. Victoria Pahlett (CHA) 5-7, 6-3, 6-4
2. Erica Braschi (ELON) def. Tai Martin (CHA) 7-5, 7-6 (7-5)
3. Natalia Janowicz (ELON) def. Macy Vonderschmidt (CHA) 6-2, 6-1
4. Suzanne Zenoni (ELON) def. Tyler Baker (CHA) 6-1, 6-3
5. Sierra Stone (CHA) def. Taylor Casey (ELON) 6-4, 7-5
6. Alexandra Lee (CHA) def. Maria Paraja (ELON) 6-4, 6-1

Doubles competition
1. Kirsten Ward/Natalia Janowicz (ELON) def. Victoria Pahlett/Tai Martin (CHA) 7-5
2. Taylor Casey/Erica Braschi (ELON) def. Sierra Stone/Fleur Holtkamp (CHA) 6-4
3. Tyler Baker/Macy Vonderschmidt (CHA) def. Olivia Lucas/Suzanne Zenoni (ELON) 6-4

Match Notes:
Charlotte 4-6
Elon 6-9
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (3,4,6,5,2,1)
T-3:25
A-41