Raleigh, N.C. - The Meredith tennis team opened USA South conference play at home on Wednesday as the Avenging Angels hosted N.C. Wesleyan.  The Avenging Angels took the match 8-1.

Meredith (2-7, 1-0 USA South) took the early 3-0 lead in doubles to start the match.  The #3 doubles pairing of Puja Patel and Zannah Webster made quick work of the Bishops (2-2, 0-1), winning their match 8-1.  At #2 doubles, Mollie Musgrave and Betty Edwards put away N.C. Wesleyan 8-4.  The #1 doubles team of Ashley Pearsall and Mary Lawrence Newton held the 7-6 advantage then dropped two to fall behind 8-7.  They then finished doubles off strong winning the last game then taking the tiebreaker 7-3.

In singles, the Avenging Angels took matches in straight sets at #1 Patel (6-1, 6-0), #3 Newton (6-0, 6-2), #5 Musgrave (6-0, 6-1) and #6 Christa Key (7-6 (7-2), 6-2).  #4 Edwards took her set after losing the first (4-6, 6-3, 10-3).

Meredith next heads to Mary Baldwin on Sunday for a 2 p.m. match.

Tennis Match Results
N.C. Wesleyan vs Meredith
Mar 16, 2011 at Raleigh, N.C.

Meredith 8, N.C. Wesleyan 1

 Singles competition
1. PATEL, Puja (MER) def. Ateba, Carole (NCWCW) 6-1, 6-0
2. Kacher, Samia (NCWCW) def. PEARSALL, Ashley (MER) 6-4, 6-3
3. NEWTON,Mary Lawrence (MER) def. Seidel, Kristin (NCWCW) 6-0, 6-2
4. EDWARDS, Betty (MER) def. Jones, Tori (NCWCW) 4-6, 6-3, 10-3
5. MUSGRAVE, Mollie (MER) def. Parker, Bristy (NCWCW) 6-0, 6-1
6. KEY, Christa (MER) def. Riley, Tija (NCWCW) 7-6 (7-2), 6-2

 Doubles competition
1. PEARSALL, Ashley/NEWTON,Mary Lawrence (MER) def. Kacher, Samia/Seidel, Kristin (NCWCW) 9-8 (7-3)
2. MUSGRAVE, Mollie/EDWARDS, Betty (MER) def. Parker, Bristy/Jones, Tori (NCWCW) 8-4
3. WEBSTER, Zannah/PATEL, Puja (MER) def. Ateba, Carole/Riley, Tija (NCWCW) 8-1