Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University women’s tennis team defeated Newberry College 8-1 in South Atlantic Conference tennis action Thursday afternoon. The Bulldogs improve to 11-6 overall and 6-2 in the SAC. Newberry falls to 1-10 overall and 0-5 in the SAC.

The Bulldogs went 5-1 in singles action, dropping only one game in the five matches they won. Hollyn Alberghini (Stanfield, N.C.) celebrated Senior Day by winning 6-0, 6-0 in number five singles. Earlier in the day, she teamed with sophomore Samantha Alschlager (Indian Trail, N.C.) for an 8-1 victory in number two doubles.

Alschlager also had went 2-0 on the afternoon, claiming a 6-0, 6-0 win in number three singles. Freshman Kelli Ferguson (Concord, N.C.) took a 6-1, 6-0 victory in number two singles, while pairing with junior Kara Stasikelis (Greenville, S.C.) for a 9-7 win in number one doubles.

In pre-match ceremonies, Wingate University vice-president and director of athletics Steve Poston, head women’s tennis coach Michael Cabana and the Bulldog family honored Alberghini and classmate Pierce Dillard (Simpsonville, S.C.). Both players are four-year starters for the Bulldogs who have led the team to 23 dual match victories in the last two seasons.

Wingate returns to action Wednesday, April 7, hosting Coker College at 2:30 p.m. Newberry travels to Mars Hill College next Thursday for a 3 p.m. start.

(Wingate University assistant sports information director Hugh Patton wrote this article. Patton is a 2006 Wingate graduate with a B.A. degree in Communication Studies.)

SOUTH ATLANTIC CONFERENCE WOMEN’S TENNIS MATCH RESULTS
WINGATE 8, NEWBERRY 1 (at Wingate, N.C.)

Singles
#1 Autise Mortimer (NEW) def. Kara Stasikelis (WIN) 6-2, 6-3
#2 Kelli Ferguson (WIN) def. Amanda Simmons (NEW) 6-1, 6-0
#3 Samantha Alschlager (WIN) def. Rebekah Crouch (NEW) 6-0, 6-0
#4 Helen Goreski (WIN) def. Lindsay Kyzer (NEW) 6-0, 6-0
#5 Hollyn Alberghini (WIN) def. Stephanie Matthews (NEW) 6-0, 6-0
#6 Ewa Opala (WIN) won by default (no Newberry player)

Doubles
#1 Stasikelis/Ferguson (WIN) def. Mortimer/Matthews (NEW) 9-7
#2 Alschlager/Alberghini (WIN) def. Simmons/Crouch (NEW) 8-1
#3 Goreski/Opala (WIN) won by default (no Newberry team)
RECORDS: Wingate 11-6 overall (6-2 SAC); Newberry 1-10 overall (0-5 SAC)