SALEM --- Roanoke women's tennis opened the fall season by defeating Southern Virginia, 8-1 at the Elizabeth Campus Courts.

All-ODAC selections Laura Dodson (Roanoke, VA, Cave Spring) and Corbin Leitch (Richmond, VA, Steward School) began their junior campaigns with convincing wins. Dodson, competing in the #1 slot, def. Rebekah Reid, 6-1, 6-2 while Leitch topped Bethany Johnson, 6-1, 6-0 at the #2 spot. Newcomer Haley Goodes (Salem, VA, Glenvar ) knocked off Rebekah Ericson, 6-1, 6-1 in her first collegiate match.

In doubles action, Dodson and Leitch (#1 doubles) battled Southern Virginia close but came out on top, 8-6. The freshmen duo of Jennifer Antoszyk (Charlotte, NC, University of Nebraska Independent Studies) and Goodes had a tight match as well as they won, 8-5 in #2 doubles. Lucy Webb (Glastonbury, CT, Glastonbury), who won 6-2, 6-1 in #5 singles, teamed up with Taylor Carmean (Columbia City, IN, Canterbury High School) to beat SVU in #3 doubles, 8-1.

The women will compete in the Ferrum Fall Tournament Saturday, Sept. 17 at 9 a.m.