The Georgia Southwestern State University tennis teams opened up their 2019 seasons over the weekend with the Lady Hurricanes picking up the first win, a 5-2 victory over Christian Brothers University on Friday. Freshman Sophia Winters and senior Charli Allen led the way with victories in both doubles and singles competition.
On the men's side, GSW won two of three doubles matches against Christian Brothers before being swept in singles action for a 6-1 loss and Saturday brought a 7-0 setback against NCAA Division I College of Charleston.
Both teams return to action on Wednesday with a trip to Fort Valley State University. The women play at 1 p.m. and the men follow at 3 p.m.
GSW WOMEN 5, CHRISTIAN BROTHERS 2
GSW won by default at No. 3 doubles and lost at No. 1, 6-3, so the Winters and Allen match at No. 2 proved to be for the doubles team point and it went to a tiebreaker. The Lady Hurricanes prevailed, 7-6 (7-3). The NCAA moved to a format this season in Division II where one point is issued to the school that wins at least two of the doubles matches, as opposed to in the past where each doubles match counted as its own team point.
In singles play, Winters won a 10-point match tiebreaker, 10-8, at No. 3 and Allen was victorious, 6-3, 6-1, at No. 4 to lead GSW. Kendall Crew won 6-1, 6-1 at No. 5.
GSW MEN 1, CHRISTIAN BROTHERS 6
GSW took two of three doubles matches Friday to earn the team point and take a 1-0 lead into singles play. Nacho Garcia de Sola and Beau Millwood were victorious at No. 1, 6-4, and Alex Canovas and freshman Kenneth Limyadi won 6-3 at No. 2.
Millwood and freshman Kyle Eason saw both of their singles matches go to a decisive third set. Millwood lost 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 at No. 4 and Eason fell 6-2, 4-6, 6-1 at No. 5.
GSW MEN 0, COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON 7
The Hurricanes had a strong showing at No. 1 doubles against NCAA Division I member College of Charleston on Saturday morning. Garcia de Sola and Millwood lost 6-4.
On the singles side, GSW played a pair of matches to 6-3, 6-3 losses for their best showing. Kenneth Limyadi at No. 3 and his brother, Matthew Limyadi at No. 6 suffered the identical fate.
GSW WOMEN vs. CLARK ATLANTA
Postponed until March 17.