The Emory University women's tennis team battled top-ranked NAIA squad Georgia Gwinnett College Friday afternoon, falling to the Grizzlies by a 6-1 count in Lawrenceville, GA.
In doubles, Ysabel Gonzalez-Rico and Katie Chang continued their unbeaten spring on the No. 1 court as the duo improved to 4-0 with their 6-3 win over Tereza Koplova and Selina Pichler. However, GGC upended the Eagles on courts two and three to claim the doubles point, defeating Stephanie Taylor and Christina Watson, 7-6 (3), at the No. 2 position and Ana Cristina Perez and Lauren Yoon, 7-5, on court three.
In singles play, Taylor highlighted the Emory six as she picked up a three-set victory on court five in her first appearance in the singles lineup this season. Taylor rallied from a first set defeat, 6-7 (11), to win the final two sets 6-2, 10-5. It was the final match decided on the afternoon.
Georgia Gwinnett opened the singles portion with straight set wins on courts three, six and one, knocking off Defne Olcay (6-0, 6-2) on court three, Yoon (6-0, 6-1) on court three and Gonzalez-Rico (7-6 (5), 6-3) at the No. 1 spot.
Watson and Perez fell in hard fought three setters to round out the match on courts two and five. Watson won her first set 6-3 before dropping the next two 1-6, 4-6 at second singles while Perez rallied after a 1-6 setback in set one to win the second, 7-5, before losing the third 5-7.
The Eagles return home this Tuesday afternoon, April 20th, as they host Brenau University at 3:00pm. Emory will honor its five-member senior class prior to the start of the match.