Tusculum Rallies to Defeat Lions

GREENEVILLE, TENN. - The Mars Hill women's tennis team was unable to hold off a furious rally by Tusculum in the final four singles matches, falling to the Pioneers 6-3 at the Nichols Tennis Complex. Mars Hill drops to 4-6 on the year and 2-3 in South Atlantic Conference play, while Tusculum improves to 12-1 on the season and 3-0 in league competition.

Mars Hill opened the afternoon with a victory in the top doubles match as Tatiana Dualiby and Lucy McLaurin teamed up to defeat Kate Hutchin and Kealee Heffner 8-4. The Pioneers won number two and number three doubles for a 2-1 lead heading into singles play.

Dualiby defeated Sarah Baker 6-4, 6-0 in number one singles to tie the match, with Mars Hill taking a 3-2 lead after thanks to Anna Rickenbaker's 6-3, 6-3 triumph at number two singles.  Hutchinson tied the match at 3-all with a 7-5, 6-4 victory over McLaurin, with Heffner giving Tusculum a 4-3 lead with her 6-1, 6-0 win over Jade Henke. Adrienne Kaye secured the win for the Pioneers with a 6-0, 6-1 victory over Natalie Hilbig at flight five. Amanda Sumner defeated Grace Diepenbrock 6-0, 6-0 to wrap up the match.

After a break of over two weeks prior to today's match, the Lions close out the month with five matches over the span of nine days. The Lions begin this stretch on Saturday at Limestone.

Mar 18, 2014 at Greeneville, Tenn.

Tusculum 6, Mars Hill 3

Singles competition:
1. Tatiana Dualiby (MHUW) def. Sarah Baker (TCW) 6-4, 6-0
2. Anna Rickenbaker (MHUW) def. Erin Mills (TCW) 6-3, 6-3
3. Kate Hutchinson (TCW) def. Lucy McLaurin (MHUW) 7-5, 6-4
4. Kealee Heffner (TCW) def. Jade Henke (MHUW) 6-1, 6-0
5. Adrienne Kaye (TCW) def. Natalie Hilbig (MHUW) 6-0, 6-1
6. Amanda Sumner (TCW) def. Grace Diepenbrock (MHUW) 6-0, 6-0 

Doubles competition:
1. Tatiana Dualiby/Lucy McLaurin (MHUW) def. Kate Hutchinson/Kealee Heffner (TCW) 8-4
2. Erin Mills/Adrienne Kaye (TCW) def. Anna Rickenbaker/Jade Henke (MHUW) 8-3
3. Amanda Sumner/Emily Waters (TCW) def. Natalie Hilbig/Grace Diepenbrock (MHUW) 8-0 

Match Notes:
Mars Hill 4-6, 2-3 SAC
Tusculum 12-1, 3-0 SAC
T-4:00  A-25