Hickory, N.C.-- The Lenoir-Rhyne Women Tennis team beat Lander 4-3 in their home opener on Tuesday afternoon.

The day started off with doubles in which the Bearcats took the doubles point (1-0). Gemma Southwick and Lucy Whelan defeated Eduarda Ferreira / Chiara Gerbino 6-0 to begin the match day but, Lander would then win two consecutive matches to win the doubles point. 

In singles, Southwick led the way defeating Ferreira 6-4,6-0 to tie up the match (1-1). Southwick has now won nine singles matches in a row dating back to last year. Gerbino would then best Sandy Mitsou 6-2, 6-3 to give Lander the lead (2-1). Evelin Menyhart helped start the comeback defeating Aco 6-3,6-3 tying up the match (2-2). Natalie Lutz would then continue the momentum in a battle against Wiggins 7-5, 6-4 , which gave LR the lead (3-2). Alicia Wahlberg endured a back and forth match with Rey, but was forced to retire 6-2, 0-6, 1-2, which tied up the score again (3-3). Senior Lucy Whelan in the last match of the day clutched up and secured the victory (4-3) for LR defeating Hahn 3-6, 6-3, 6-3.

Head Coach Jesse Tarr talked about the fight of his team.

"Proud of our ladies they were tough," Tarr said. "We had a slow start in doubles and dealt with adversity as well. Shoutout to Lucy Whelan, the lady of the match, she did a a great job with her emotions being the last match on and she stuck to the game plan."

The Bears will be back in action Thursday February 25th at home against Mars Hill.