WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Winston-Salem State University women's tennis team battled hard on Senior Day but fell 6-1 to No. 38 Belmont Abbey at the WSSU Tennis Courts on Saturday afternoon.
Belmont Abbey, a nationally-ranked program, secured the match by claiming the doubles point and winning five of six singles contests.
How It Happened
The Rams opened the match with a strong showing in doubles play, highlighted by a victory at No. 1 doubles. The duo of McKinley Battle and Iyana Nickens delivered a 6-4 win to give WSSU momentum early.
However, Belmont Abbey responded by taking the other two doubles matches, including a tightly contested tiebreak win at No. 2 doubles (7-6 (10-8)), to secure the doubles point.
In singles play, WSSU's Battle continued her standout performance, earning the Rams' lone point with a dominant straight-set victory at No. 1 singles, 6-2, 6-1.
The Crusaders proved to be too deep across the remaining courts, sweeping the other five singles matches in straight sets to seal the 6-1 result.
Match Highlights
- McKinley Battle led the Rams, going undefeated on the day with wins in both doubles and singles.
- McKinley Battle/Iyana Nickens secured WSSU's lone doubles victory at the No. 1 position.
- Belmont Abbey clinched the match with strong depth, winning five singles matches in straight sets.
Up Next
WSSU will compete at Livingstone on Tuesday, April 14 in Salisbury, North Carolina.
