CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Top-seeded Piedmont women’s tennis advanced past Maryville in dominant fashion, winning 4-0 in the CCS Tournament Semifinals Friday afternoon.
After defeating the fourth-seeded Scots 7-0 at home in the regular season, the Lions were challenged a bit, but ultimately found their footing and delivered another shutout victory.
The win moves the Lions to the CCS Tournament Final, where they will battle the winner of the other semifinal matchup between No. 2 seed Asbury and No. 3 seed Huntingdon.
Alyssa McSpadden and Sarah Sanabia moved to 6-0 as a pairing, cruising to a 6-1 win at No. 3. Then, it was seniors Dannie Evans and Bri Laidman who clinched the doubles point with a hard-fought 6-4 triumph at the No. 2 spot, making the No. 1 doubles match moot.
With the match being moved indoors to Girls Preparatory School due to rain in the forecast, just No. 1 through No. 4 singles took the courts first.
Two-time CCS Rookie of the Week Caroline Morrison was first to finish, with a clinical 6-2, 6-2 victory at No. 3 singles to move to 8-0 at that spot this season.
Then, the always consistent Alyssa McSpadden produced a 6-3, 6-2 victory at No. 1, putting the Lions one win away from clinching a spot in the final.
After battling through a tough first set but prevailing, Laidman provided the match-clinching win at No. 2 with a 7-5, 6-4 win in a match that lasted close to two hours.
At the time of the clinch, Jordan Ballard was in the midst of a third-set battle at No. 4 after rallying back from dropping the first set to win the second 6-3.
Olivia Carpenter was ahead 3-2 in the first set at No. 5 and Evans had yet to begin her match at No. 6.
Up next, the Lions will play tomorrow afternoon for their third consecutive CCS Tournament Title and fourth consecutive conference tournament title.
First serve is slated for 2 p.m. at the Chattanooga Champions Club against Asbury or Huntingdon.
TURNING POINT:
– Laidman battled through to win a hard-fought match to give the Lions a clinch at 4-0.
NEWS AND NOTES:
– This marks the sixth consecutive conference tournament final appearance for the Lions.
