by Benny Benton
WILSON, N.C. – The Barton College women's tennis team dropped a 6-3 decision to visiting Catawba College on Wednesday afternoon in the first dual match of the season for the Lady Bulldogs.
Senior Smiljana Kljajic and junior Dana Kelly both posted on-court victories in a losing cause for Barton. Smiljana downed Liz Renteria in No. 1 singles play, 6-4, 6-3, and Kelly outlasted Maddie Henderson in a super-set tiebreaker at No. 3 singles, 6-1, 6-7 (4-7), 1-0 (10-7). Barton picked up a third point in a walkover after Vanessa Sanoja's opponent withdrew due to injury.
Catawba now 4-1 in fall play, dropped just one game in the final three singles spots after sweeping doubles play. Kljajic and Sanoja played the closest match in doubles, falling 8-6 in the No. 1 slot to Renteria and Erisa Onchi.
The Lady Bulldogs will play one more match in the fall, with that contest slated for Thursday, Oct. 1, at home against William Peace University.
CATAWBA 6, BARTON 3
Singles
1. Smiljana Kljajic (BARTON) def. Liz Renteria (CATW) 6-4, 6-3
2. Vanessa Sanoja (BARTON) def. Erisa Onchi (CATW), by walkover
3. Dana Kelly (BARTON) def. Maddie Henderson (CATW) 6-1, 6-7 (4-7), 1-0 (10-7)
4. Kristen Rocko (CATW) def. Whitney Hamilton (BARTON) 6-0, 6-0
5. Lauren Sledd (CATW) def. Rebecca Lamm (BARTON) 6-0, 6-0
6. Rachel Rudisill (CATW) def. Casey Utley (BARTON) 6-0, 6-1
Doubles
1. Liz Renteria/Erisa Onchi (CATW) def. Smiljana Kljajic/Vanessa Sanoja (BARTON) 8-6
2. Kristen Rocko/Lauren Sledd (CATW) def. Dana Kelly/Whitney Hamilton (BARTON) 8-3
3. Maddie Henderson/Rachel Rudisill (CATW) def. Rebecca Lamm/Casey Utley (BARTON) 8-0
Records
Catawba 4-1
Barton 0-1
