#3 Emory Women’s Tennis Falls to Division II #10 Clayton State in Spring Opener

The Emory University women's tennis team, the third-ranked NCAA Division III team in the country, dropped a 7-2 road decision to Clayton State University, ranked 10^th in Division II, in their spring season opening match on Sunday.

Emory received its two points during the singles matches.  Sophomore and two-time all-American Zahra Dawson won her second-singles match in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2, over counterpart Jessica Budd.  In the sixth singles match, Emory senior Sara Vrabec earned a hard-fought 2-6, 7-6 (4), 10-8 victory over Charlotte Fabricius. 

Including fall competition, Dawson improved to 5-1 on the season in singles matches, while Vrabec brought her record to 2-1.

However, the Eagles were unable to overcome a 3-0 hole after doubles play.  First doubles pair Lorne McManigle and Dawson fell 8-5, second doubles team Sabra Rogers and Jordan Wylie dropped an 8-4 decision, and the Eagles' third doubles team of Lindsay Reidenbach and Vrabec lost 8-6.

In singles play, McManigle fell 6-1, 6-1 to Katie White, ranked 17^th in Division II, in the first singles match.  Also dropping singles matches were Wylie in the third singles match (6-2, 7-5), Reidenbach in the fourth singles match (7-6 (7), 6-2), and Tshema Nash in the fifth singles match (6-1, 6-3).

The Eagles fell to 0-1 with the loss, while Clayton State improved to 1-0.  Emory will be back in action on Wednesday, February 17^th, as the Eagles will travel to Division III regional rival the University of the South for a 2:00 PM match.