The Sweet Briar tennis team hosted conference rival Hollins University today at Babcock Tennis Courts. Despite a strong and competitive start at doubles, the Vixens dropped the match with a score of 8-1 to give Hollins the win.

The bright spot of the day was intense doubles play on all three courts to start the match on this chilly, but sunny, spring afternoon. The number three doubles team of senior Leslie Polaski (Amherst, Va.) and junior Ebie Baker (Farmville, Va.) was the first team to finish, losing to Hollins Woodson-Vinson, 8-0.

The Vixens won at the first doubles spot with the duo of senior Virginia Edahl (Charlotte, N.C.) and first year player Moriah Burke (Rockville, MD). Their score for the win was 8-6, tying the match at one apiece.

The second doubles point was hard-fought by the duo of sophomore Krista Maldonado (Ennis, Texas) and first-year player Glory Bowman (Roanoke, Va.). They battled from a service break down to get back on serve and were up 7-6 when momentum of play took a turn to favor the Hollins team of Woodson-Ailstock. Hollins garnered three straight games for the win of 9-7, giving Hollins the 2-1 lead going into singles action.

The Vixen team struggled on their respective courts and could not get things turned around in their favor.

The highlight for the Vixens as play wound down was Edahl's singles match on first court with a split of sets to go into a match tie-breaker. Under the lights they played a match tie-breaker of first to 10 points that went to Hollins player Montoya.

The Vixens are now 3-1 overall, 0-1 in conference play. They will visit the Generals of Washington and Lee at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday.

Box score:

Hollins University 8, Sweet Briar College 1

Singles competition
1. Karen Montoya (HU) def. Virginia Edahl (SBCTN10) 6-2, 6-7, 1-0
2. Sarah Budrus (HU) def. Moriah Burke (SBCTN10) 6-4, 6-3
3. Shawnte Woodson (HU) def. Krista Maldonado (SBCTN10) 6-3, 6-1
4. Anne Ailstock (HU) def. Julia Green (SBCTN10) 6-3, 6-0
5. Mariah Bryant (HU) def. Sarah Manter (SBCTN10) 6-1, 6-0
6. Finley Vinson (HU) def. Glory Bowman (SBCTN10) 6-1, 6-1

Doubles competition
1. Virginia Edahl/Moriah Burke (SBCTN10) def. Sarah Budrus/Anne Ailstock (HU) 8-6
2. Mariah Bryant/Karen Montoya (HU) def. Krista Maldonado/Glory Bowman (SBCTN10) 9-7
3. Finley Vinson/Shawnte Woodson (HU) def. Leslie Polaski/Elizabeth Baker (SBCTN10) 8-0