by Kevin Buczek
WILSON, N.C.-The Barton College doubles team of sophomore Meredith Pruden and freshman Smiljana Kljajic extended their win streak to four matches in a 6-1 Conference Carolinas women's tennis victory over Converse College on Saturday morning at the Barton Tennis Complex.
The dual match was moved up to a 9 a.m. start due to impending inclement weather in the Wilson County area and it proved to be a smart move as play was stopped with the top two singles draws still competing once rain started to fall three-plus hours into competition.
The Lady Bulldogs improved to 5-2 overall with their fourth consecutive victory while remaining undefeated in league play at 2-0. The Valkyries departed with records of 0-4 overall and 0-2 in the conference.
Kljajic-Pruden (5-1) dominated the middle doubles match with an 8-1 win. Senior Francesca Del Pozo and junior Caroline Fischer followed with a matching 8-1 decision in the third position. Del Pozo-Fischer moved over .500 paired together at 4-3.
Senior Olivia Self and freshman Kasey Anderson put Converse on the board with an 8-6 win at No. 1 doubles over BC senior Lindsey Frederick and sophomore Alicia Lasry.
The Lady Bulldogs dominated in singles winning the bottom four tilts and they were leading the other two bouts before play was stopped with the team victory already claimed by Barton.
All four BC singles wins were in straight sets. Frederick (4-3) posted a 6-0, 6-2, win at No. 3; Pruden rolled to a 6-0, 6-1, conquest at No. 4; Fischer produced a 6-1, 6-1, triumph at No. 5; and junior Kristy Lievense did not lose a game in a 6-0, 6-0, thrashing at No. 6. Lievense (5-0) remained undefeated in singles play on the season while Pruden and Fischer both improved to 5-2 overall with their fourth straight win apiece.
Barton next visits Belmont Abbey College on Friday at 2:30 p.m.
