GREENSBORO, N.C. – Longwood women's tennis opened the season at UNC Greensboro on Friday. UNC Greensboro nipped Longwood 6-1 amidst a host of singles matches that went down to the wire.
 
Singles
 
No. 1: UNCG Ari Babakova over Emma Nurgazieva 7-5, 6-4
No. 2: UNCG Alex Dodashev over Karina Rizvanova 6-2, 6-4
No. 3: UNCG Hanna Giddings over Sophia Marchetta 6-3, 4-6, 6-3
No. 4: UNCG Olivia Gallagher over Maria Saez 7-5, 4-6, 7-5
No. 5: UNCG Luna Urso over Wiktoria Czerny 6-1, 6-4
No. 6: UNCG Juliana Craft over Nina Hederich 6-7, 6-0, 6-3
 
Doubles
 
No. 1: UNCG Gallagher/Giddings over Rizvanova/Nurgazieva 6-4
No. 2: LWU Saez/Hederich over Craft/Mitchell 6-2
No. 3: LWU Marchetta/Czerny over Urso/Dodashev 6-4
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
 
Longwood opened the day by seizing the doubles point, thanks to wins at Nos. 2 and 3 doubles. The duo of Maria Saez and Nina Hederich took out Juliana Craft and Raegan Mitchell 6-2. Wiktoria Czerny and Sophia Marchetta combined for the 6-4 win at No. 3 over Luna Urso and Alex Dodashev.
 
In singles, Marchetta, Saez and Hederich all lost heartbreakers after battling deep into the third set at Nos. 3, 4 and 6 singles. Two of Saez's three sets went to seven points against Olivia Gallagher. Marchetta forced a third set after taking the second set 6-4 against Hanna Giddings, but Giddings held on in the third set. Hederich won the first set narrowly 7-6 before Juliana Craft claimed the final two sets.
 
Emma Nurgazieva also battled at No. 1 singles, with Ari Babakova just squeezing past her.
 
WHAT THEY SAID:
 
"The ladies did a great job of starting strong and securing the doubles point," said Longwood Director of Tennis Adam Jackson. "We competed extremely well on all courts and just needed to flip a few third sets, but we came up short. I am proud of the way we played and look forward to next weekend."
 
UP NEXT:
 
Longwood plays two matches next Saturday when they travel to Lynchburg to take on both Liberty and East Carolina. The Lancers will open play against ECU at 1 p.m. before taking on Liberty at 5 p.m.
 
#GoWood || #HorsePower