VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Averett University women's tennis edged No. 48 Gustavus Adolphus College 5-4 on a neutral court Friday afternoon, giving the Cougars a big win over a nationally ranked opponent at Virginia Wesleyan University's Everett Tennis Center.
Averett (7-4) started the day with a key win at No. 1 doubles as the tandem of junior
Keira Gunning and freshman
Siddhi Khandelwal earned an 8-4 win over the Gusties' duo of Molly Austin and Allison Szalay, who are ranked No. 15 in the country and No. 5 in their region. The Cougars also pulled out a close 8-7 (7-0) win at No. 2 doubles thanks to the play of sophomore
Brenda Poulakidas and freshman
Jennika Jaison.
Up 2-1 after doubles play, Averett notched a win at No. 1 singles by Jaison, who won 6-0, 6-1. Gustavus Adolphus (7-6) won at No. 3, 5 and 6 singles to surge ahead 4-3 in the match. The Cougars, however, didn't let the Gusties win that clinching point. Khandelwal won her No. 2 singles match 6-3, 6-4, leaving the outcome of No. 4 singles to be the deciding factor. Freshman
Dilara Sultanova, who won the first set 6-0 and dropped the second set 6-3, came through for Averett with a 6-1 win in the third set to seal the win for the Cougars.
Averett returns to action on Saturday against Old Dominion Athletic Conference foe Virginia Wesleyan University.
