FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – The Southwestern University Pirate women's tennis team upset No. 17-ranked University of Mary Washington in its second match at the Blue-Grey Invitational, winning 5-4.
For a second consecutive day, Esther Bowers clinched the match for the Pirates, defeating Claire Coleman in three sets; dropping the first one 7-5 and recovering to win the last two 6-3 and 6-2.
In a reversal of the previous day, the Pirates started strong in doubles, taking two of three. After Esther Bowers and Cecile Wilde dropped the No. 1 doubles match 5-8, Mary Cardone and Mariana Quetzeri defeated Danielle Mirabella and Claire Coleman in the second spot and Nina Elez and Stephanie Bartusov defeated Olivia Moore and Sophie Dixon 8-2.
Both teams split the singles matches 3-3 with the Pirates taking matches 1-3 and Mary Washington's depth showing in matches 4-6; though Elez and Wilde fought hard, taking each match to three sets with Elez taking Danielle Mirabella to a tiebreaker.
In the No. 1 spot, Cardone cruised to victory in straight sets, winning both 6-1. Quetzeri defeated Lauren Quinn 6-4, 6-4 to setup Bowers' clinching victory.
With the victory, the Pirates' win streak increases to seven and a 10-1 overall record. The Pirates will continue their road trip with a match against Bates tomorrow at 7 a.m.