GREENEVILLE, TENN - The Queens University of Charlotte women's tennis team remained unbeaten on Sunday afternoon defeating South Atlantic Conference foe Tusculum University by a final score of 6-1 at the Nichols Tennis Complex. The victory improved the Royals to 8-0 overall and 6-0 in league play.
 
"The conditions were tough today: cold temperatures and lots of wind," said head coach Billy Boykin. "Our team stayed tough mentally, and competed hard all-day. This was a tough overall match environment and I'm very proud of this team for maintaining their focus throughout the entirety of the match."
 
The Royals won the first doubles play including a 7-5 win by Jill Morse and Marie Bertran De Balanda over Elodie Baechler and Tabitha Howe. Though, it wasn't enough for the Royals, as Tusculum ultimately won the doubles points for an early 1-0 advantage. The Pioneers became the first team this season to grab the doubles point from the Royals.
 
Trailing 1-0, the Queens women stormed back to win 6-of-6 singles matches, only dropping one out of the next 12 sets played. A 6-2, 6-1 win at No. 1 by Viktorija Veselinova opened singles play for the Royals before Jill Morse and Hanna Axelsson clinched singles wins 6-3, 6-3 at No. 2 and 3 respectively.
 
"I am proud of the way our women responded after losing the doubles point," explained Boykin. "I thought we recovered our focus in singles play and really dialled in. We have a lot of respect for the Tusculum tennis program as they are consistently one of the best teams in the country. We knew that a win today would require a complete effort."
 
Next up, the Royals will host Limestone University on Tuesday, March 29^th at the Howard Levine Tennis Center.
 
Queens University of Charlotte 6, Tusculum 1
 
Singles competition

1. Viktorija Veselinova (QUEENS) def. Elodie Baechler (TU) 6-2, 6-1
2. Jill Morse (QUEENS) def. Leonie Floeth (TU) 6-3, 6-3
3. Hanna Axelsson (QUEENS) def. Tabitha Howe (TU) 6-3, 6-3
4. Marie Balanda (QUEENS) def. Paulina Loretz (TU) 6-4, 6-3
5. Kaity Klaassen (QUEENS) def. Valentina Loretz (TU) 6-2, 3-6, 6-3
6.  Katya Khramtcova (QUEENS) def. Johanna Palacio (TU) 8-5

 
Doubles competition

1. Jill Morse / Marie Balanda (QUEENS) def. Elodie Baechler / Tabitha Howe (TU) 7-5
2. Leonie Floeth / Paulina Loretz (TU) def. Viktorija Veselinova / Caity Klaassen (QUEENS) 7-6 (7-5)
3. Valentina Loretz / Emilie Hansen (TU) def. Hanna Axelsson / Amelie Allard (QUEENS) 6-3