The Lee University women's tennis team played its first home match in almost three weeks and came away with a 5-2 win over Bellarmine University. The Lady Flames ran their record to 8-2, while the Knights dropped to 3-7.
Lauren Trammell and Sierra Donaldson gave Lee the early advantage in doubles competition with a 6-2 win over Aubrey Smith and Madison Devillez. Carley Sickinger and Lisa Kirr secured the doubles point for the Lady Flames by holding off Jennifer Skonieczny and Ava Ratcliff 7-6.
Bellarmine avoided the doubles sweep with a 7-5 win by Maggie Walroth and Ashley Jonathan at No. 1 singles.
Sickinger posted matching set scores of 6-2 to defeat Jonathan at No. 2 singles. Skonieczny pulled the Knights within one at 2-1 with a 7-5, 6-4 edging of Asia Grzegrzolka. Kirr needed three sets at the third position to push the Lee lead to 3-1. Kirr won the opening set 6-0, dropped the second set 6-4 and lost just two games in the final set.
Micaela Belen Maiz clinched the Lee team victory with a 6-3, 6-4 straight-set win over Ratcliff. Smith held off Trammell 7-5, 6-3 at No. 5 singles to earn a second point for the visitors.
Donaldson won her opening set with Devillez 6-2, but fell 7-5 in the second set. Donaldson outlasted Devillez 10-8 in a super set tie-breaker to supply the final team score.
"We've played better matches, but we are starting to string some good results together," said Lee head coach Patric Hynes. "It was very close today and could easily have gone either way. I'm excited for another battle tomorrow!"
The Lady Flames return to Gulf South Conference action Sunday afternoon against Valdosta State University. First serve is set for 1 p.m.
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