SALEM – The Roanoke College women's tennis team picked up its first victory of the season, defeating UVA-Wise 8-1 in the Maroons season opener.  The match, which served as Roanoke's home opener, gives the Maroons a 1-0 record to start the season.
 
The number 19 has been very important for the Roanoke College women's team to start the 2014 season.  Roanoke enters the season ranked 19^th in the Atlantic South Region.  With the Maroons' win at home today, the women's tennis team has won 19 consecutive home matches, dating back to March 1, 2011.
 
The Maroons went 3-0 in doubles action to start the day.  The pair of Jennifer Antoszyk and Briell Smith swept the team of Brianna Stallard and Mary Jo Stallard, 8-0.  Emily Henderson and Reed Kegel won at #2 doubles over Bailey Christoforatos and Junetta Nuckels, 8-1.  Emma Barker and Kristen McDowell battled at #3 doubles for an 8-5 win over Rose Bennett and Andi Kilgore.
 
Antoszyk was victorious in #1 singles, defeating Stallard, 6-1; 6-1.  Briell Smith had a close first set, 6-4, win over Christaforatos.  Smith still won the second set by a score of 6-1.  Henderson blanked Mary Jo Stallard 6-0, 6-0 in a strong start at #3 singles.  Haley Goodes also won by the score of 6-0, 6-0 in #6 singles, defeating Kilgore.  Kegel picked up a win at #4 singles, besting Nuckels 6-3, 6-1.  Roanoke's one loss came at #5 singles, in a very tight 6-4, 6-4 battle between Emma Barker and Rose Bennett.
 
The Maroons return to action on Friday, February 28^th as they travel to Greensboro, North Carolina to take on Guilford College.  That match is scheduled for a 3:00 PM start.
 
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