Women's Tennis Drops 5-3 Decision To Methodist In USA South Championship

BURLINGTON, NC - Christopher Newport's women's tennis team lost its only match of the season in the championship of the USA South Tournament 5-3 to Methodist Sunday afternoon.

The match was played at the Old Forest Racquet Club due to inclement weather.

The Lady Captains lost two out of the three doubles matches. The lone win came at No. 1 where Stefanie Leblang and Lindsey Pantele (CNU) defeated Tiffany Tucker and Leighton Bull 8-6. The Monarchs won at No. 2, where Jenny Smith and Lauren Hulse handed Frannie Shivar and Brittany Stevens just their second doubles loss, 8-6. Shannon Vivian and Courtney Vail defeated Chandler Long and Kelly Clay at No. 3, 8-3.

In singles, Pantele (CNU) quickly dispatched Tucker, 6-2, 6-1 at No. 1, as they were the first singles match to finish to knot the score at 2-2. Vivian defeated Stevens 6-2, 6-1 at No. 4 to give Methodist a 3-2 lead. CNU's Shivar trailed 3-2 in the first set but rebounded to win the set 6-3 and the second set, 6-0 at No. 3 as she won the final 10 games. The win knotted the score at 3-3. The win for Shivar kept her dual match winning streak intact where it stands at 34 straight.

The next match to finish was at No. 2 where Smith held off a late charge by Leblang (CNU) to win 6-4, 7-6 (10-8) to give MU a 4-3 lead. The deciding match came at No. 5 where the Monarchs Hulse defeated Thedford (CNU) 7-6 (7-4), 6-2.

Vail led Long (CNU) 7-6 (7-4), 3-3 at No. 6 when the match was stopped due to Methodist getting to the necessary five wins to clinch the match.

Christopher Newport finishes the year 21-1, the best record in program history. Methodist improves to 18-4 and receives the USA South's first automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.

Pantele, Leblang and Shivar were all named to the All-Tournament Team.

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