Carrying a number two overall ranking in the NAIA is no easy task, but the Georgia Gwinnett women's tennis is facing that challenge head on in 2016 as they opened their spring slate on the road this weekend.

The Grizzlies rose to the task against NCAA Division II foe USC-Aiken on Friday evening as they nearly swept the Pacers in their 8-1 team play victory.

"The women played very well today and beat a solid USC-Aiken team soundly," stated GGC head coach Chase Hodges.  "Our doubles play was outstanding."

Georgia Gwinnett (1-0) swept the Pacers in doubles action.  The pairs of Valeria Podda and Klara Dohnalova (W, 8-6), Chiara Di Salvo and Alyona Vasileva (W, 8-4), and Helga Pinones-Haltenhoff and Sophie Feller (W, 8-4) all picked up victories in their opening matches of 2016.

GGC went 5-1 on the afternoon in singles play.  At the one spot, Podda defeated Olivera Veskovac 6-0, 6-2 while Pinones-Haltenhoff took two sets (7-5, 6-3) over Kayla Calvert at the number two spot.  Vasileva swept both of her sets (6-2, 6-3) against Victoria Giannaccini.  Both Feller and Di Salvo improved to 1-0 individually in 2016 as they defeated their opponents 8-4 and 6-0, 6-0, respectively.  Feller's win was her first collegiate victory.

Up next for Georgia Gwinnett is Emory University (Ga.).  The Eagles are currently ranked No. 2 in NCAA Division III.

Hodges continued, "We have some time to improve on some things in practice to be ready for a very talented Emory squad in two weeks."

The second-ranked Grizzlies' home opener is slated for Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 2 p.m. in Lawrenceville.  Admission to all home matches at the GGC Tennis Facility (100 Countryside Place, Lawrenceville) is free.

Complete results from the Grizzlies' match against USC-Aiken can be accessed by clicking here.

For all the latest on Grizzly Athletics, including news, scores and features, visit GrizzlyAthletics.com.  Check out all the latest Grizzly Women's Tennis content and join the conversation by following @GGCGrizzTennis on Twitter.