EMORY, Va. - Both the men's and women's tennis teams fell in their first tennis matches of the spring portion of the season.  Coach Steve Brooks, who is coaching in his first matches as interim head coach, said, "It's good to get the first match in to find out what we have to work on."

The men's program (1-2, 0-0 ODAC) fell 9-0 to NAIA school Milligan (2-2, 0-0).  John Dalton Ferguson (Gate City, Va.) played well at the number one spot versus a very tough opponent, but ultimately fell 6-3, 6-0.  Luke Funkhouser (Gate City, Va.) was able to win a game but fell at the two spot 6-1, 6-0.  The three through five spots all fell 6-0, 6-0.

In doubles, Ferguson and Funkhouser lost at one 8-4, while the twos lost 8-1.

The women (2-1, 0-0 ODAC) also went down versus Milligan.  Freshman Sveva Mazzari (San Remo, ITALY) earned the only victory for the Wasps at one singles as the team fell 8-1.  After her 6-0, 6-0 win, Coach Brooks stated, "Sveva started her spring campaign strong with a good showing over last year's Appalachian Athletic Conference Player of the Year." 

At the second flight, Lauren Riner (Coeburn, Va.) fell 6-1, 6-1.  Junior Savanna Summers (Bluff City, Tn.) fell at the three spot 6-0, 6-0, while Kailtyn Sheaves (Staunton, Va.) lost 6-1, 6-2. Meade lost 6-1, 6-4 and Curtis lost 6-0, 6-0 at five and six respectively.  All three doubles teams saw their demise at the beginning of the match.

Both the men and women take on Bluefield at home on Friday, March 4 at 12 p.m.

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-photo courtesy of Caleb Johnston, E&H '15