SWEET BRIAR, Va. --- Vixen Tennis opened the 2013 spring schedule on Monday afternoon with non-conference opponent Columbia College.  The Fighting Koalas traveled from the Palmetto State with an eye on recovering from a loss the previous day while Sweet Briar took the court with sights set on a season opening win.

In a break from the standard format, Sweet Briar College and Columbia opted to play individual matches first, followed by the doubles competition. 

While the rallies were long, Columbia claimed victory in all six singles matches.  Senior Glory Bowman (Roanoke, Va./Patrick Henry) and junior Emma Merritt-Cuneo (Pacifica, Calif./Oceana) nearly forced third sets on courts two and four respectively, but the Koalas held on for the wins.  Rachel Lovass (Lexington, S.C.) took a 6-2, 6-4 win over Bowman and Lydia Royals (Elgin, S.C.) secured a 6-2, 6-3 win over Merritt-Cuneo.

On the doubles side of the score sheet, Merritt-Cuneo and Sarah Manter (Brunswick, Maine/Brunswick) teamed up for a court two win, giving SBC its lone point on the day.  The junior and captain combination outlasted Raven Fair (Aiken, S.C.) and Sierra Whaley (Charleston, S.C.) for the 8-5 win.

The Vixen squad returns to match play this weekend with two matches in two days in North Carolina.  On Saturday, February 23, SBC takes on William Peace University at 2 p.m. Tennis continues on Sunday with a 2:30 p.m. match against Meredith College.

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Columbia College vs Sweet Briar College (Feb 18, 2013)

Columbia College 8, Sweet Briar College 1
Feb 18, 2013 at Sweet Briar College