Score: N.C. Wesleyan 5, Salem 0
Site: Rocky Mount, N.C. | Slick Family Foundation Tennis Center
Records: Salem (5-13) | N.C. Wesleyan (10-9)
ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. – N.C. Wesleyan tennis kept its perfect record in USA South Conference action intact in 2023 play, defeating Salem by a 5-0 margin when the two teams met in the opening round of the league tournament on Tuesday afternoon in Rocky Mount, N.C.
The first-seeded Battling Bishops, who were undefeated in league action play, held eighth-seeded Salem without a point, marking the 10th time this season against a USA South Conference foe that was the case.
The duo of Bethan Fothergill and Andrea Elaez Miranda delivered the first point at the Slick Family Foundation Tennis Center, defeating fellow No. 3 seeds Abrielle Eckenroth and Alyson Gammons by a score of 8-0. The second Battling Bishop point came from the Julie Schoorsmans and Elisa Mariotti defeated Cadence Durham and Ashley Linden in No. 2 doubles by an 8-0 margin.
Cristina Mendoza Romero and Kristal Dule extended the Battling Bishops' lead to 3-0 in the match with an 8-0 score by defeating Emily Griffis and Alana Bridges.
The fourth point of the match came from Romero, who in No. 3 singles, earned a 6-0, 6-0 victory over Griffis. Fothergill completed the victory for N.C. Wesleyan in No. 5 singles by virtue of a 6-0, 6-0 triumph over Gammons.
Salem closed with five wins in back-to-back seasons for the first time since winning at least five matches in six straight seasons from 2014 through 2019.
Singles competition
1. Kristal Dule (NCWW) vs. Cadence Durham (SAL) 6-0, 3-0, unfinished
2. Elisa Mariotti (NCWW) vs. Haley Gilley (SAL) 6-1, unfinished
3. C. Mendoza Romero (NCWW) def. Emily Griffis (SAL) 6-0, 6-0
4. Andrea Elaez Miranda (NCWW) vs. Alana Bridges (SAL) 6-0, 4-0, unfinished
5. Bethan Fothergill (NCWW) def. Alyson Gammons (SAL) 6-0, 6-0
6. Julie Schoorsmans (NCWW) vs. Ashley Linden (SAL) 6-0, 4-1, unfinished
Doubles competition
1. Kristal Dule/C. Mendoza Romero (NCWW) def. Emily Griffis/Alana Bridges (SAL) 8-0
2. Julie Schoorsmans/Elisa Mariotti (NCWW) def. Cadence Durham/Ashley Linden (SAL) 8-0
3. Bethan Fothergill/Andrea Elaez Miranda (NCWW) def. Abrielle Eckenroth/Alyson Gammons (SAL) 8-0
Doubles order of finish: 3,2,1
Singles order of finish: 3,5
