VIRGINIA BEACH -- Virginia Wesleyan College's women's tennis team dropped a 7-2 non-conference decision to Christopher Newport University on the Penzold Courts, but ended a couple of undefeated starts for the Captains.

Senior Meredith Willett (Rumney, N.H./Plymouth Regional), playing at the No. 2 spot, won her third consecutive match, pinning a 6-4, 6-2 loss on Morgan Huff (Lynchburg, Va./Jefferson Forest), who entered the match at 5-0.  Willett improved to 5-2 in dual match competition.

The Marlins (3-4) also picked up a doubles win at No. 2 where rookies Cay Gee (Parkton, Md./Hereford) and Katelynn Duncan (Lynchburg, Va./Holy Cross) posted a thrilling 8-6 win over Kim Morrisett (Midlothian, Va./James River) and Huff, who entered the match at 4-0.  Gee and Duncan improved to 3-1 overall.

"The team played an overall solid match against a quality opponent," said VWC tennis coach Edward Kahn. "Meredith Willett played an especially smart match in singles."

Willett came close to making it a personal sweep, competing at No. 1 doubles with rookie partner Saida Bennou (Washington, D.C./St. Johns College).  The VWC duo pushed CNU (5-1) from start to finish, but Sarah Stafford (Midlothian, Va./James River) and Marion Gloor (Niederlenz, Switzerland/Alte Kanti Aarau) pulled out a 9-8 (7-5) decision.

Virginia Wesleyan competes again on Friday, Mar. 11, play at North Carolina Wesleyan College at 12 p.m.   The Marlins also play at Hollins University on Saturday, Mar. 12, at 1 p.m., and at Roanoke College on Sunday, Mar. 13, at 11 a.m.

--AMDG--