WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Averett University women's tennis nearly knocked off Division II Winston-Salem State University, but the Rams edged the Cougars 4-3 on Saturday.
 
Averett (5-3) took two of three doubles matches to open play. Senior Heidi Sarkkinen and sophomore Eleanor Crane won at No. 1 doubles, 6-1. Freshman Inka Zeilstra and Kristina Hedelt also won, 6-3, at the No. 2 slot. Because the Cougars were playing at Winston-Salem State, the match was played by NCAA Division II rules where doubles is a best-of-three series that counts as one point total.

Up 1-0, Sarkkinen — who is ranked No. 21 in the nation and No. 11 in the region by the ITA —easily dispatched opponent China Brown, 6-0, 6-0. Hedelt also earned a win at No. 4 singles, topping Kyra Akande 6-2, 6-1. The match came down to tight matchups at No. 2 and No. 3 singles, where the Rams prevailed.

Averett knocked off Winston-Salem State last year, 6-3.

The Cougars play host to conference foe N.C. Wesleyan College on Tuesday.