CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The 20^th-ranked Queens University of Charlotte women's tennis team kicked off the 2021 season on Friday afternoon, earning a 5-2 South Atlantic Conference victory over Lenoir-Rhyne University from the Howard Levine Tennis Center.
 
The day began with a sweep of doubles competition by the Royals, including a dominant 6-0 win in the top flight by the all-american duo of Sasha Davidzenka and Yana Fleyer. The pairings of Caity Klaassen/Viktorija Veselinova and Kate Halickman/Katya Khramtsova each won 6-1 at No. 2 and No. 3, respectively.
 
In singles play, Queens won four of the six matchups with Davidzenka, Halickman and Graces Forbes each winning in two sets. Fleyer went the distance for the Royals, winning 2-6, 6-1, 6-2 in the second flight.
 
Queens returns to the court on Monday, February 22 when the team hosts Newberry College at 3 p.m. for a conference contest.
 
#20 Queens University of Charlotte 5, Lenoir-Rhyne 2
 
Singles competition
1. Gemma Southwick (LRUW) def. Viktorija Veselinova (QUEENSW) 6-3, 6-4
2. Yana Fleyer (QUEENSW) def. Sandy Mitsou (LRUW) 2-6, 6-1, 6-2
3. Sasha Davidzenka (QUEENSW) def. Evelin Menyhart (LRUW) 6-4, 6-1
4. Natalie Lutz (LRUW) def. Caity Klaassen (QUEENSW) 3-6, 7-5, 1-0
5. Grace Forbes (QUEENSW) def. Paige Black (LRUW) 6-1, 6-0
6. Kate Halickman (QUEENSW) def. Spencer Cochran (LRUW) 6-2, 6-2
 
Doubles competition
1. Sasha Davidzenka/Yana Fleyer (QUEENSW) def. Evelin Menyhart/Sandy Mitsou (LRUW) 6-0
2. Caity Klaassen/Viktorija Veselinova (QUEENSW) def. Natalie Lutz/Gemma Southwick (LRUW) 6-1
3. Kate Halickman/Katya Khramtsova (QUEENSW) def. Paige Black/Spencer Cochran (LRUW) 6-1
 
Match Notes:
Lenoir-Rhyne 1-1, 0-1 SAC
Queens University of Charlotte 1-0, 1-0 SAC; National ranking #20
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles ()