DANVILLE, Va. – The Averett University women's tennis team slid by Salem College with a 5-4 conference win on Sunday afternoon at the Averett Tennis Courts.
 
Averett (4-3, 2-0 USA South) took two wins in doubles to gain a 2-1 lead early in the day. Junior Hannah Mattson and sophomore Heidi Sarkkinen claimed an 8-0 win at No. 1 while junior Frida Lundquist and sophomore Miriam Lindberg defeated their opponents 8-2 in No. 3 doubles.
 
Later on, Sarkkinen beat DeAnna Wilkins 6-0, 6-2 in No. 1 singles, and Lundquist snagged a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Carmen Wilkins in the No. 5 spot. Sophomore Ashley Thornton battled for a win to help the Cougars edge the Spirits. Thornton defeated Courtney Benson 6-3 in the first set, but Benson crawled back to a 6-4 win over Thornton. However, Thronton managed to claim the third set 6-4.
 
Averett returns to the courts on Monday for a home matchup with non-conference foe Randolph-Macon College at 3 p.m.