ELON, N.C. – Marija Venta battled to victory in a three-set match to lead the way for the women's tennis program at the Elon Fall Invitational Saturday afternoon at the Jimmy Powell Tennis Center.
 
Venta's three-set win was the first victory of the season for the sophomore, who is one of the two returners on the freshman-laden roster. After taking the first set against UNCG's Alice Taylor, Venta dropped the second set, but dug deep to pull out the victory, 6-3, 1-6, 10-6. With her outlasting her opponent, Venta continues play into the Flight A Singles consolation bracket Sunday and is set to play Maria Zacarias of Appalachian State at 11 a.m.
 
In the Flight B Singles winners' bracket Jamie Breunig, coming off of Friday's first round win, fell to Alex Koniaev of host-school Elon, 6-1, 6-1. Breunig will face Jess Mount of Coastal Carolina Sunday at 11 a.m.
 
Freshmen Julia Candiotto and Kaori Terunuma were each into the Flight C Singles winners' bracket after advancing through Friday's first round, but both fell in straight sets.
 
In doubles action, Terunuma and Candiotto fell to Jayde Viccars and Melissa Esguerra of East Tennessee State, 8-3. The duo of will play for seventh place Sunday at 9 a.m., set to face Emma Perelman and and Stephanie Taylor of Emory.
 
The tournament concludes Sunday morning as the Lancers look to finish strong in their first action of the season. First serve is set for 9 a.m. Sunday morning.
 
Flight A Singles (Consolation Bracket)
Marija Venta (LWU) def Alice Taylor (UNCG) 6-3, 1-6, 10-6
 
Flight B Singles (Winners Bracket)
Alex Koniaev (ELON) def Jamie Breunig (LWU) 6-1, 6-1
 
Flight C Singles (Winners Bracket)
Celeste Matute (UNCW) def Julia Candiotto (LWU) 6-3, 6-1
Melissa Mechado (APP) def Kaori Terunuma (LWU) 6-0, 6-0
 
Flight B Doubles (Consolation Bracket)
Jayde Viccars/Melissa Esguerra (ETSU) def Terunuma/Candiotto (LWU) 8-3
 
Flight C Doubles (Consolation Bracket)
Breunig/Venta (LWU) BYE
 
Extra Matches
Thai Thompson (UNCW) def Candiotto (LWU) 7-5, 7-6 (4)
Sara Bondar (CCU) def Kaori Terunuma (LWU) 6-1, 6-1
 
#GoWood