Lady Braves end season on high note

By Heath Nunn
Sports Writer

April 26, 2012

Photo by Mindy Hubbard

Freshman Monica Espitia returns a ball against a Chowan opponent. Espitia defeated Jena'y Nelson 6-0 on April 15.

Following their impressive 5-4 upset win over Clayton State, the UNCP women's tennis team defeated the visiting Lady Hawks from Chowan University 6-3 on April 15 at the UNCP Varsity Tennis Courts for the fifth straight victory.

Visiting Chowan (13- 15) came out with an early win when Inesa Asatryan and Natalie Kamenshchikova defeated Mia Winterbottom and Hannah Herlocker 8-4 at No. 1 doubles.

UNCP (13-12) responded when Leigh-Anne McAfee and Shelby Bickel defeated Jennifer Humphrey and Heaven Rushing 8-0 on court No. 2.

Madeline DiNunzio and Monica Espitia defeated Brittney Moser and Jena'y Nelson 8-0 in No. 3 doubles to give the Lady Braves the 2-1 lead heading into singles competition.

Bickel started singles play out at No. 4 singles with a 6-0, 6-0 shutout over Chowan's Rushing while DiNunzio defeated Moser 6-1, 6-0 at No. 5 singles.

Espitia and Herlocker both upended Nelson and Humphrey, respectively by a score of 6-0, 6-0 each.

McAfee was defeated by the Hawks Asatryan 6-1, 0-6, 10-4 while Winterbottom was defeated by Kamenshchikova 7-6 (7-3), 6-4.

An April 18 matchup with Pfeiffer, was cancled due to rain. This game conconcluded the Lady Braves 2012 season.

The Lady Braves finished 13-12 on the season, including a 3-9 record in Peach Belt Conference action.