The Belmont University women’s tennis team defeated Northern Iowa 6-1 at home on March 28 as they began Missouri Valley Conference play at the Beaman Family Tennis Complex.
This match marked the start of conference competition for both teams, with Belmont improving to a record of 2-12 overall and 1-0 in the MVC, while Northern Iowa fell to 2-10 overall and 0-1 in conference play.
Belmont swept all three doubles matches, each ending with a score of 6-2. The doubles point was clinched by a sophomore and redshirt freshman duo at the top spot against Yangjiaxin Li and Lucia Schuknecht from Northern Iowa. A junior returned to Belmont’s doubles lineup, teaming up with a freshman at the third position to defeat Sedina Begic and Andrea Noa Galin from the Panthers.
In singles competition, Webster won decisively at the top position over Schuknecht (6-0, 6-1), while Grant secured another strong win on court six (6-1, 6-0). Popiol clinched the match for Belmont at No.3 singles by defeating Li (6-3, 6-3). Jeladze overcame Kayla Santosa at No.4 singles after coming back from a deficit in the second set and winning a tiebreaker (7-5). Tapia-Cruz also came back after losing her first set against Noa Galin on court two; she took the second set (6-3) and prevailed in a super tiebreaker (10-4).
Northern Iowa earned its only victory of the day at fifth singles where Abbie Peterson defeated Hamilton. After splitting sets—Peterson taking the first (6–2), Hamilton responding with a second-set win (6–1)—Peterson won in another super tiebreaker (10–4).
Belmont will continue Missouri Valley Conference action Sunday morning when they host Drake. First serve is scheduled for 10 a.m., again at Beaman Family Tennis Complex.
