Franklin, Ind.– The Transylvania women's tennis team continued its winning ways as the Pioneers earned a second road Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference victory in a row, defeating the Franklin College Grizzlies 7-2 on Sunday afternoon at the Mickel-Hoover Tennis Complex.
The Pioneers asserted their dominance over the Grizzles early in the match by establishing a lead in the opening doubles matches; the No. 2 doubles pair of freshman Lucy Herrington and junior Mary Grace Amato prevailed over the Grizzlies duo of junior Megan Battles and senior Emily Helviex 8-3 in their pro-set matchup to help build the lead.
The No. 3 doubles match proved to be a close one, as the team of sophomore Kearstin Bruther and junior Myriah Porter collaborated to fight past sophomore Alexa Schofner and junior Jessica Baker to give the Pioneers a crucial 8-6 victory.
Transylvania continued to extend its lead over Franklin as singles play began. First, the Pioneers secured victories in No. 2 and No. 3 singles as Amato defeated Rachel Rose 6-2, 6-3, followed by a 6-3, 6-2 victory by Herrington over Schofner.
In No. 5 singles action a 6-3, 6-2, straight-set victory by Bruther over Ashley Sedler claimed both the match and the day for the Pioneers.
With the match victory in hand, there was still work to be done by the Pioneers, as the final two matchups would prove to be the hardest fought victories of the day. Sophomore Madison Miles defeated Battles 4-6, 6-2, 10-7 in the No. 4 singles competition. Then, in the final Transylvania victory of the day, senior Sophie Head defeated Brianna Hutton 6-3, 2-6, 6-4.
By taking a convincing victory over Franklin, last season's conference runner-up, Transy now moves to 2-1 in HCAC play, good for a third-place tie in the conference standings.
The Pioneers will look to build upon their two-match winning streak as they pay a visit to HCAC rival Earlham on Wednesday, September 21. The meeting is set for a 4:30 p.m. start.
For the latest on Transylvania tennis, follow their official twitter @TransyTennis
