BRISTOL, Tenn. – Women's tennis competed in the King Hidden Dual Invitational this weekend playing singles and doubles matches against King University, Tusculum University, and Montreat College.
On day one of the tournament, the Cavaliers played a singles match against King University. Sophomore Liza Akinemko posted an 8-1 victory at the No. 1 spot while sophomore Katya Akimenko won 8-4 at the No. 2 position. Senior Aya Melhem won at the number three spot, 8-3, while sophomore Grace Hall secured an 8-7(7-4) victory at number four. Freshman Megan Harwood defeated her opponent at the No. 5 spot, 8-0, for her first career victory in a Cavalier uniform.
Head Coach Danny Rowland's squad played doubles matches against King and Tusculum, and single matches against Montreat on the second day of the invitational. Against the Tornado, Liza Akimenko and Katya Akimenko won at the number one position, 6-1, while Melhem and Harwood posted a 6-4 victory at the No. 2 spot.
Liza Akimenko and Katya Akimenko earned their second doubles victory of the day against the Pioneers with a 6-2 win. In singles play, Liza Akimenko topped her opponent, 6-4, 6-0, at No.1 to continue her singles win streak at the tournament. Melhem also won in singles with a 6-1, 6-0, triumph at No.3. Harwood picked up her second singles win of the season, 6-4, 7-5, at the number five spot, while sophomore Olivia Dishner won 7-6(7-5), 6-1 at the No. 6 position.
On the last day of the tournament, UVa-Wise earned a sweep against Montreat with Liza Akimenko and Katya Akimenko recording a 6-0 victory at No. 1. Melhem and Hall won at the number two spot, 7-6(8-6) while Harwood and sophomore Lillian Morris defeated their opponents, 6-3, at the number three position.
Liza Akimenko and Melhem recorded wins against the Pioneers in singles play. Akimenko won, 6-4, 6-3 at the number one position while Melhem registered a 6-4, 6-7(7-5), 1-0(10-6), win at number three.
Coach Rowland's team returns to Wise to host Brevard College in the Cavaliers home opener Saturday, Sep. 21 at noon at the Jim and Betty Humphreys Tennis Complex.
