Wingate, N.C.----The 21st-ranked Wingate University Bulldogs stayed perfect in league play Monday afternoon, handing No. 13 Tusculum its first loss of the season by prevailing 6-3 in South Atlantic Conference women's tennis action. Wingate improves to 16-3 overall and 8-0 in the SAC, while the Pioneers fall to 17-1 overall and 7-1 in league play. The Bulldogs have now won 67 consecutive league matches.

The Bulldogs picked up a pair of doubles wins, getting an 8-6 victory at one doubles from senior Maria Garcia (San Carlos, Venezuela) and sophomore Michela Verpelli (Milan, Italy) over Tusculum's number one doubles team, ranked 14th in the nation. Senior Oroma Womeodu (Memphis, Tenn.) teamed with freshman Chyi Lee (Taipei, Taiwan) for an 8-6 victory at three doubles to give the 'Dogs a 2-1 lead heading to singles play.

Junior Claudia De Andreis (Milan, Italy) won 6-2, 6-4 at number two singles over the 31st-ranked player in the country. Tusculum won at six singles, but sophomore Marisa Ostoja (Split, Croatia) rallied for a 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 victory at five singles to make it 4-2.

The Pioneers made it 4-3 with a victory at three singles, but Verpelli won the clincher at number one singles. The 20th-ranked player in the nation, Verpelli won 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 over the 64th ranked player to remain unbeaten at one singles in league play. Womeodu added a 2-6, 6-1, 1-0 victory at four singles to cap the 6-3 victory.

The Bulldogs are back in action Wednesday, traveling to Newberry for a 2 p.m. start.