BLUEFIELD, Va. – The UVa-Wise women's tennis team was upset by a 5-4 decision Monday afternoon as they faced Bluefield College in their season opener. Junior Mackenzie Lawson was the lone victor at the No. 4 singles spot as she defeated Bluefield's Mykenzie Roach, 6-3, 6-2.

At the No. 1 doubles spot, senior Dasha Tyshchenko and sophomore Aya Melhem put up a fight against the Rams' Paloma Sanchez and Arianna Orozco but were unable to come away with a win, dropping the match 8-6. Sophomore Taylor Carter and Lawson also fell short despite a strong effort and were defeated by Bluefield's Gema Mendoza and Roach, 9-7.

Tyshchenko was upset by Bluefield's Mendoza by a score of 6-3, 6-0 at the top singles spot. At the No. 2 singles, sophomore Melhem was unable to claim a game against the Rams' Sanchez, falling 6-0, 6-0. Carter was defeated by Bluefield's Orozco after suffering an injury that took her out of the match. Lawson earned the Cavs single win of the day at the No. 4 singles spot, 6-3, 6-2, over the Rams' Roach. UVa-Wise was also able to grab three wins by default in the match.

The Cavs will return home to face Tusculum College on Saturday, Sept. 9 with match time scheduled for 3 p.m. UVa-Wise will also host Milligan College on Sunday at 1 p.m. 

Visit uvawisecavs.com for all Cavalier women's tennis news, statistics, complete schedule and more.
 
Full Match Results
Bluefield College 5, UVa-Wise 4
 
Singles
1. Gema Mendoza (BC) def. Dasha Tyshchenko (WISE) 6-3, 6-0
2. Paloma Sanchez (BC) def. Aya Melhem (WISE) 6-0, 6-0
3. Arianna Orozco (BC) def. Taylor Carter (WISE) 3-1 (injury)
4. Mackenzie Lawson (WISE) def. Mykenzie Roach (BC) 6-3, 6-2
5. Serena Burgess (WISE) vs. No player (BC) Win by default
6. Montana Hill (WISE) vs. No player (BC) Win by default 
Doubles
1. Paloma Sanchez/Arianna Orozco (BC) def. Dasha Tyshchenko/Aya Melhem (WISE) 8-6
2. Gema Mendoza/Mykenzie Roach (BC) def. Taylor Carter/Mackenzie Lawson (WISE) 9-7
3. Serena Burgess/Montana Hill (WISE) vs. No player (BC) Win by default