BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. -- The Queens University of Charlotte women's tennis team defeated the Bulldogs of NCAA Division I Gardner-Webb University Tuesday afternoon, winning 5-2 for the team's second win in a row to open the spring season.

"I am very proud of our effort today," said Head Tennis Coach Billy Boykin. "Gardner-Webb is a well-coached team and we have a lot of respect for their program. Our girls were really focused and we competed well through the ups and downs of every match today."

Queens swept doubles play, winning all three matches against the Bulldogs to earn a point for the Royals as NCAA Division I rules dictate that doubles count for one point toward the team total.

"Our doubles play gave us a big lift and a lot of momentum going into the singles," Boykin said. "We were energetic, aggressive and I thought we communicated with one another well."

Senior Carlotta Nassi and sophomore Isabel Fornies were the first to win a doubles match for the Royals, winning 6-1 in the No. 2 position. The freshman duo of Yana Fleyer and Sasha Davidzenka came out on top in their matchup 6-2 in the No. 1 doubles spot, while senior Caroline Nielsen and junior Hannah Lehfeldt sealed Queens' third win in doubles play winning 6-2 as well.

In singles competition, Queens won four of the six matchups, with Fleyer winning 6-2, 6-0 and Fornies winning 6-0, 6-2 in the No. 2 and No. 6 positions, respectively. Nassi won her matchup in two sets, 6-4, 6-4, as Davidzenka also won her matchup in a three-set thriller at 1-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4).

"Seniors Carlotta Nassi and Caroline Nielsen are the engines that make us go," Boykin said. "They lead by example and you'd be hard pressed to find better leaders or nicer people. We are so lucky to have them leading our team"

"I am so proud of Isabel. She reversed the result from last year's match against the same opponent," Boykin continued. "She's been working very hard and this is more evidence that it is paying off. I'm so happy for her."

The Royals host the University of South Carolina-Aiken Friday, February 23, at the Queens Sports Complex for the team's 2018 home opener. Play will begin at approximately 1 p.m.

Singles

1. Carlotta Nassi (QUWTN) def. BOLSTAD, Sandra (GWU18W) 6-4, 6-4
2. Yana Fleyer (QUWTN) def. RIECKMANN, Sarah (GWU18W) 6-2, 6-0
3. Sasha Davidzenka (QUWTN) def. NAUPARI, Daniela (GWU18W) 1-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4)
4. RISTIC, Miljana (GWU18W) def. Caroline Nielsen (QUWTN) 6-3, 6-4
5. LIMAUGE Valentine (GWU18W) def. Hannah Lehfeldt (QUWTN) 7-5, 6-3
6. Isabel Fornies (QUWTN) def. ROMERO, Paula (GWU18W) 6-0, 6-2

Doubles

1. Yana Fleyer/Sasha Davidzenka (QUWTN) def. BOLSTAD, Sandra/RISTIC, Miljana (GWU18W) 6-2
2. Carlotta Nassi/Isabel Fornies (QUWTN) def. RIECKMANN, Sarah/LIMAUGE Valentine (GWU18W) 6-1
3. Caroline Nielsen/Hannah Lehfeldt (QUWTN) def. NAUPARI, Daniela/ROMERO, Paula (GWU18W) 6-2

Match Notes:
Queens University of Charlotte 2-0
Gardner-Webb University 1-5
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (2,6,1,4,5,3)