For immediate release – 3/7/2015 - #303
Kline, Simmons Provide Doubles Excitement for Hornets Saturday
LYNCHBURG, VA-A doubles victory by senior Katie Kline and freshman Jerica Simmons provided the Lynchburg College women's tennis team with energy for singles, ultimately falling to Covenant College 7-2 in non-conference play on the E.C. Glass High School tennis courts.
Kline and Simmons were tied 5-5 with the doubles team of Jennie Spielman and Mackenzie Jones in the third flight as Kline stepped up to serve. She was able to hold, forcing the Scots to hold under pressure to keep the match going.
Covenant evened the set back at six, but Lynchburg took over from there. Simmons controlled her service game, working with Kline to take advantage of both Scots playing from the baseline. With players lining the doubles court and fans lined up along the fence and scattered across the hill, the scene was set for the final game. Lynchburg won all four points in the final service game for Covenant to pick up the first point for LC.
"I am really pleased with how the team competed," head coach Josef Manilla said. "We showed a lot of fight and effort. From a coaches' point of view, I am very happy with how responsive the team has been to the new direction we are headed. Everyone is very excited about the future of this program."
The match lasted so long that the men's singles matches had started with a select few making it to the second set before Kline and Simmons captured the victory.
Melissa Drinkard continued the Lynchburg fight in singles play, responding from a 6-0 first-set loss to down Gretchen Rowe 6-2 in the second set. The two No. 1's went back and forth in the super set tiebreaker before Rowe ultimately came away victorious 13-11.
Simmons continued her hot doubles play in singles, downing Jones 6-3, 6-1 at the No. 6 spot.
"It was really exciting to get my first college win," Simmons said. "I owe it to my coach for keeping me positive throughout the match."
Lynchburg (0-2/0-1 ODAC) host Roanoke College in an Old Dominion Athletic Conference competition on Thursday, March 19. The match is set to start at 5:45 p.m.
