by Cory Guinn
WILSON, N.C. – The Barton College women's tennis team earned its first win with a 5-4 victory over NCAA Division III Meredith College on Thursday afternoon at the Barton Tennis Complex.
The Lady Bulldogs (1-7) fell by identical 8-4 scores at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles as Meredith (0-2) was ahead 2-1 early. Barton was able to gain a point in doubles play, however, as the duo of junior Dana Kelly and freshman Rebecca Lamm picked up an 8-4 win over Kate DeSilva and Sandra Taranhike.
Senior Smiljana Kljajic earned a 6-2, 6-0 win over Catherine Bryant in the No. 1 singles spot to tie the match at two points apiece. Barton gained a one-point lead in the match with a 7-5, 6-2 victory by Kelly at No. 3 singles before Meredith tied the match at 3-3 with a win by DeSilva at No. 5 singles.
Freshman Whitney Hamilton, playing at No. 4 singles, secured her second straight decision with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Jacqueline Benton before Lamm sealed the match with a 6-2, 7-5 victory at No. 6 singles for her first collegiate win.
Barton hosts Belmont Abbey College on Saturday, February 27 at 1 p.m. as the team searches for its first victory in Conference Carolinas play.
BARTON 5, MEREDITH 4
Singles:
1. Smiljana Kljajic (BARTON) def. Catherine Bryant (MER) 6-2, 6-0
2. Ran Zhang (MER) def. Vanessa Sanoja (BARTON) 6-1, 1-6, 6-2
3. Dana Kelly (BARTON) def. Laura Anne Hatcher (MER) 7-5, 6-2
4. Whitney Hamilton (BARTON) def. Jacqueline Benton (MER) 6-3, 6-3
5. Kate DeSilva (MER) def. Casey Utley (BARTON) 6-3, 6-2
6. Rebecca Lamm (BARTON) def. Sandra Taranhike (MER) 6-2, 7-5
Doubles:
1. Catherine Bryant/Ran Zhang (MER) def. Smiljana Kljajic/Vanessa Sanoja (BARTON) 8-4
2. Laura Anne Hatcher/Jacqueline Benton (MER) def. Whitney Hamilton/Casey Utley (BARTON) 8-4
3. Dana Kelly/Rebecca Lamm (BARTON) def. Kate DeSilva/Sandra Taranhike (MER) 8-4
Records:
Meredith 0-3
Barton 1-7
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (1,3,5,2,4,6)
