The No. 2-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College women's tennis team got back to its winning ways with a dominant 7-0 sweep against No. 4 Xavier University of Louisiana in a matchup of top five teams Friday afternoon at the GGC Tennis Facility.

The Grizzlies (5-1) raced out to a fast start by sweeping all three doubles matches, each featuring new pairings. The No. 1 team of junior Alexandra Melnikova and freshman Diana Ilie clinched the doubles point with a 6-3 victory. Senior Justine Lespes teamed with freshman MaryLove Edwards to win all six games on the No. 3 court.

Senior Isid Hernandez and freshman Elizabet Verizova rounded out the strong doubles play with a 6-4 win on the No. 2 court.

The positive momentum carried over into singles as the Grizzlies won all six matches in straight sets.

Melnikova gave the hosts a 2-0 lead by winning 12 of the 13 games at No. 2 singles.

Hernandez recorded a 6-0, 6-1 victory on the No. 6 court to collect the team's third point of the match.

Ilie secured the match-clinching point with another 6-1, 6-0 triumph on the No. 5 court.

Freshman Cherysh Henry won both sets by identical 6-1 scores at No. 3 singles before Lespes recorded a 6-3, 6-1 victory at the top of the lineup.

Edwards capped the strong singles performances with a hard-fought 6-1, 7-6 (8) triumph on the No. 4 court.
 
Coach's Corner
"We had a completely new doubles lineup today after indoors (NAIA Indoor Championships) and I was exceptionally happy with our first performance, winning on all three lines against a good Xavier team. We came out today very focused and that will take us far throughout the rest of the season. Singles was a dominant performance and we will look to continue building off this performance," said Head Coach Hannah Keeling.
 
Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to host the Grizzly Invitational beginning on Friday, February 21, at the GGC Tennis Facility.