FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood women's tennis' busy slate continued today, as the team opened Big South conference play against UNC Asheville. The Lancers were defeated by the Bulldogs by a score of 6-1 in the conference opener.
 
 
Singles:
No. 1: UNCA Ami Grace Dougah def. LWU Emma Nurgazieva 6-0, 6-2
No. 2: UNCA Linge Steenkamp def. LWU Maria Saez 7-6 (13-11), 6-0
No. 3: UNCA Elizabeth Tindera def. LWU Sophia Marchetta 6-3, 6-2
No. 4: LWU Karina Rizvanova def. UNCA Rosie Dickson 1-6, 6-3, 7-5
No. 5: UNCA Avery Sager def. LWU Wiktoria Czerny 1-6, 6-3, 7-5
No. 6: UNCA Valeria Centeno def. LWU Nina Hederich 6-4, 6-1
 
 
Doubles: 
No. 1: UNCA Dougah/Dickson def. LWU Nurgazieva/Rizvanova 6-4
No. 2: UNCA Siegel/Steenkamp def. LWU Saez/Hederich 6-3
No. 3: UNCA Centeno/Tindera vs. LWU Czerny/Marchetta 4-5 (DNF)
 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
 
The Lancers began doubles play with the pair of Emma Nurgazieva and Karina Rizvanova dropping a closely contested 6-4 decision. Maria Saez and Nina Hederich were unable to earn a win at No. 2, causing the Bulldogs to gain the dual's first point and the third doubles match to be left unfinished.
 
After dropping the first match in singles play, Longwood's Saez battled to a tiebreaker in her first set at No. 2, but ultimately fell to Asheville's Linge Steenkamp.
 
Longwood's lone point was earned by Karina Rizvanova, who won a thriller against UNCA's Rosie Dickson. After falling 6-1 in the first set, Rizvanova battled back with 6-3, 7-5 wins in sets two and three.
 
Wiktoria Czerny's match at No. 5 read an identical score to Rizvanova's, however she was on the other side of the result. The Lancers were unable to pick up a point at No. 6 and fell in their conference opening dual.
 
 
WHAT THEY SAID:
 
"The girls lost a tough match to a solid Asheville team today," said Longwood Director of Tennis Adam Jackson. "On court, the matches were much closer than the scores indicate. We will learn from it and move on."
 
 
UP NEXT:
 
The Lancers will be back in action at the Lancer Tennis Courts to battle William & Mary tomorrow at 2 p.m.
 
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