YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – The Lee University women's tennis team posted its fifth straight win with a 6-1 non-conference defeat of Young Harris College Tuesday afternoon at the Bob & Gayle Nichols Tennis Complex. The Lady Flames improved to 7-1 and the Mountain Lions dropped to 5-6.

Ashleigh Simes and Maria Fernanda Duarte made quick work of Meghna Mallath and Simone Mercier 6-0 to begin doubles competition. Maria Penalver Aguilo and Kanna Kobayakawa beat Holly Ashford and Catarina Marcko Ferreira 6-1 to give the Lady Flames a 1-0 lead. Luciana Bejarano and Viviana Gomez kept YHC from being swept with a 6-4 win over Hayden Smith and Elizaveta Gnilozubova.

Bejarano grabbed her second win with a 6-1, 6-1 score against Penalver Aguilo at No. 2 singles. Fernanda Duarte put Lee back in the lead with a 6-0, 6-3 win over Mallath at No. 4 singles. Gnilozubova defeated Ashford 6-3 and 6-1 to push Lee within one of the team win.

Smith lost just three games in beating Marcko Ferreira at the sixth position and clinching the team match. Kobayakawa was a 6-2, 6-3 winner at No. 3 singles against Gomez. Simes, ranked No. 66, needed three sets to take win at No. 1 singles. Mercier won their first set 6-3 before Simes posted 6-2 and 6-4 wins in the next two sets to claim the match.

The Lady Flames return to Gulf South Conference action on Monday, March 25, against Christian Brothers University at the DeVos Tennis Center. First serve is set for 2 p.m. EDT.
 
Coach Patric Hynes' Thoughts:
"It's not an easy place to play here with the elevation. The balls were flying today. To be able to walk away with two strong wins is pleasing. We will get ready for the rest of our conference season now."