The UVA Wise women's tennis team fell short against the Belmont Abbey Crusaders by a score of 6-1 in the spring tennis opener on Friday, Feb. 4.

Rowland's crew started the evening with doubles play, with the Liza and Katya Akimenko duo up first against Belmont Abbey's Kayla Vaughan and Lily Aranyos. The Cavaliers prevailed by a score of 6-3 and took an early win. In the no. 2 spot, Sarah Moore and Grace Hall of the Cavaliers faced Daniella Galeano and Paola Socarras and took a 6-1 loss. In the doubles finale, Maria Lopez and Hannah Farmer of the Crusaders took down Anna Hupperten and Sara Nichols by six straight. 

In singles play, L. Akimenko represented the Cavaliers in the top spot and took a 6-2, 6-1 win to Frankee Hendricks. Following her sister was K. Akimenko, who put up a battle with Crusader Aranyos that was forced to a tiebreaker. In the tiebreaker, Aranyos came out with the victory by a score of 7-5.

In the No. 3 spot, Hupperten took on Socarras and was held scoreless in two sets by the Belmont Abbey freshman. In the following matchup, Moore faced Carlie Davis and was defeated in 6-0, 6-1 scores. Lopez and Hall battled in the fifth spot, but Lopez came out with the win for the Crusaders by scores of 6-0 and 6-2. 

In the final singles matchup of the day, Emily Conn of the Cavaliers faced off with Hannah Farmer and Conn couldn't seal the deal, falling in both sets. 

The women's tennis team will be back in action on Sunday, Feb. 6 against the University of Pikeville Bears in Harrogate, Tenn. Keep up with scores and all other women's tennis updates at www.uvawisecavs.com.