Newberry, S.C.----The Wingate University tennis teams opened defense of their South Atlantic Conference titles Wednesday with identical 6-3 victories over Newberry College at Newberry High School. Both Wingate teams are ranked number 32 in the Campbell/Intercollegiate Tennis Association NCAA Division II top 50 rankings.
 
“We knew today would be very tough,” Wingate head coach Michael Cabana says. “I am proud of our efforts. We dealt with a venue change and made important adjustments. When we saw the sign Newberry High School, home of the Bulldogs, we knew things were OK.”
 
#32 Wingate women 6, Newberry 3
 
The Wingate women won the exact same matches as their male counterparts, sweeping singles matches two through six and the number two and number three doubles matches. Seniors Kelli Ferguson (Concord, N.C.) and Helen Goreski (Oakville, Ontario) played pivotal roles, as both four-year letter winners won two matches each.
 
Goreski earned the clincher, defeating Newberry junior Shannon McManus (Charleston, S.C.) 6-3, 6-3 at the number six singles flight. Goreski and sophomore Tiffany Williams (Cary, N.C.) stopped McManus and junior Marina Ziehe (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) 8-2 in the number three doubles match.
 
Ferguson engineered a huge rally, turning a 9-4 super tie-breaker deficit into an 11-9 victory over Newberry freshman Tara Lamers (Maastricht, The Netherlands) at the number five singles spot. Ferguson and Lamers split the first two sets, with Ferguson taking the first 6-1 and Lamers rallying for a 6-3 win in set two.
 
In doubles, Ferguson and junior Morgan Winston (Lawrenceville, Ga.) recorded an 8-3 triumph at the number two position. Winston and Williams also won two matches each. Winston defeated Newberry junior Ariel Strong (Cassatt, S.C.) 6-3, 6-2 in the number three singles match. Williams outlasted Ziehe 6-4, 6-2 at the number four singles position.

#32 Wingate men 6, Newberry 3
 
Wingate sophomore Josh Eardley (Newcastle, Staffordshire, England) won the clinching match, defeating Newberry junior Jeffrey Kiser (Newberry, S.C.) 6-0, 6-0 at the number six singles position. Eardley was one of three Bulldogs to win two matches each Wednesday.
 
In doubles, Eardley and freshman Sebastian Hall (Lörrach, Germany) earned an 8-2 victory at the number three doubles slot. Hall defeated Newberry freshman Fernando Espana (Madrid, Spain) 6-0, 6-0 at the number four singles flight.
 
Wingate junior Ryan Forbes (Charlotte, N.C.) teamed with freshman Kennedy Cancelado (Miami Springs, Fla.) to record a 9-7 victory at the number two doubles position. Forbes topped Newberry junior David Sons (Lexington, S.C.) 6-1, 6-3 in the number five singles match.
 
Both Wingate teams visit Southeast Region foe Limestone Saturday. The first serve in Gaffney, S.C. is slated for 11 a.m.