by Kevin Buczek
RALEIGH, N.C.-Sophomore Meredith Pruden and junior Caroline Fischer both won their singles and doubles matches for visiting Barton College en route to a 7-2 non-conference women's tennis victory over Meredith College on Wednesday afternoon.
The Lady Bulldogs moved to .500 on the season at 2-2 overall. The Avenging Angels – ranked 15th in the Atlantic South Region of NCAA Division III -- started the year 0-1.
Pruden and Fischer both improved to 2-2 in singles matches at No. 4 and No. 5, respectively, with straight-set victories. Pruden dispensed of her opponent 6-3, 6-1 and Fischer downed her competitor 6-2, 7-5.
Sophomore No. 2 Alicia Lasry (6-3, 6-3), senior No. 3 Lindsey Frederick (6-1, 6-4) and junior No. 6 Kristy Lievense (6-1, 6-1) also won in two sets as Barton won the bottom five singles competitions. Lasry leads the Lady Bulldogs with a 3-1 singles record in dual matches. Frederick evens her record to 2-2 and Lievense remains undefeated in the sixth position at 2-0.
Pruden partnered with freshman Smiljana Kljajic for a convincing 8-1 victory in the middle doubles match. Pruden is 3-1 in doubles matches (2-1 with Kljajic and 1-0 with Lasry). Barton held a 2-1 team lead after doubles with Fischer teaming up with junior Francesca Del Pozo for a gritty 8-6 win in the third flight.
Junior Puja Patel – the 2012 USA South Conference Player of the Year – prevented Meredith from being swept with wins at the top position in both singles and doubles. Patel got the Avenging Angels first point with a narrow 8-6 doubles win with partner Caroline Hunt. Patel then handed Kljajic a 6-1, 6-4 loss in the marquee singles draw.
Barton begins Conference Carolinas play on Saturday when the Lady Bulldogs entertain North Greenville University at 2 p.m.
