Charlotte, N.C.----The 21st-ranked Wingate University Bulldogs got a pair of huge victories from sophomore Michela Verpelli (Milan Italy) Saturday afternoon, picking up a 5-4 victory at No. 32 Queens in South Atlantic Conference women's tennis action. Wingate improves to 13-3 overall and 6-0 in the SAC, while the Royals fall to 10-2 overall and 6-1 in league play. The 'Dogs have now won 65 straight league matches.

Wingate senior Maria Garcia (San Carlos, Venezuela) teamed with Verpelli for an 8-6 victory at one doubles, while senior Oroma Womeodu (Memphis, Tenn.) and freshman Chyi Lee (Taipei, Taiwan) prevailed 8-4 at three doubles to give the Bulldogs a 2-1 lead heading to singles play.

Verpelli bounced back from a 6-2 loss in the opening set at one singles, winning 6-2 and 7-5 for a huge victory over the three-time SAC Player of the Year. Sophomore Marisa Ostoja (Split, Croatia) rallied for an 0-6, 6-3, 7-6 at five singles, while junior Sydney Homan (Huntsville, Ala.) won 6-2, 7-5 at six singles to give the 'Dogs their 65th straight SAC victory.

Wingate is back in action Thursday, traveling to USC Aiken for a 2 p.m. start.