MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - The Hendrix College women's tennis team fought valiantly, but fell 5-2 to the second-seeded Berry College Vikings on Friday afternoon in the first round of the Southern Athletic Association Tournament.

Pratheepa Ravikumar and Laela Zaidi earned a first doubles point, earning an 8-5 win at the top flight. The Vikings took tightly contested matches at second and third doubles as the Orange and Black combination of Laura Mahaney and Julia Lefler fell 8-5 at second doubles and Hannah Smashey and Sarah Walker dropped a 9-7 match at third doubles. For Mahaney and Lefler, it was their first doubles loss in seven matches.

In singles play, Lefler was the only Warrior to earn a victory, downing Lauren Byrket at second singles in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3. Ravikumar and Mahaney each fell at straight sets at the first and third flights, respectively. Zaidi forced Berry's Maggie Midkiff to a third set, but fell 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 at fifth singles. Neither Walker nor Smashey was able to finish their singles match as the contest was decided before their conclusion.

Hendrix will return to action on Saturday afternoon at 12:00 p.m. when they face Millsaps College in a consolation match. The Warriors fell 6-3 to the Majors earlier in the year. 
 

Singles competition

1. Mary Cerny (BCW) def. Pratheepa Ravikumar (HC) 6-3, 6-4

2. Julia Lefler (HC) def. Lauren Byrket (BCW) 6-2, 6-3

3. Kaleigh Carpenter (BCW) def. Lauren Mahaney (HC) 6-1, 6-1

4. Heidi Seabaugh (BCW) vs. Sarah Walker (HC) 7-6 (7-0), 5-2, unfinished

5. Maggie Midkiff (BCW) def. Laela Zaidi (HC) 7-5, 2-6, 6-1

6. Valerie DeWandel (BCW) vs. Hannah Smashey (HC) 3-6, 7-5, 1-0, unfinished

 

Doubles competition

1. Pratheepa Ravikumar/Laela Zaidi (HC) def. Lauren Byrket/Heidi Seabaugh (BCW) 8-5

2. Mary Cerny/Maggie Midkiff (BCW) def. Lauren Mahaney/Julia Lefler (HC) 8-5

3. Kaleigh Carpenter/Kat Pugh (BCW) def. Hannah Smashey/Sarah Walker (HC) 9-7

 

Match Notes

Hendrix 7-9

Berry College 11-2; Regional ranking #13