The Wilkes University women's tennis team opened up their 2008-09 campaign in convincing fashion, defeating Alvernia 9-0 in Freedom Conference action on Saturday afternoon. 

Wilkes would take control early by winning all three doubles matches. Xiaoqiao Zhang (Zhengzhou City, China/Warren Hills (N.J.)) and Alison McDonald (Duncannon, Pa./Susquenita) defeated Jenny McKee and Lauren Ertel 8-1 and first doubles, Victoria Bybel (Lancaster, Pa./Lancaster Mennonite) and Kristin Wilt (Milton, Pa./Milton) shutout Samantha Bader and Laura Ehnes 8-0 at second doubles, and the tandem of Michelle Knight (Washington, Pa./Trinity) and Rebekah Shanaman (Richland, Pa./ELCO) beat Lillian Snyder and Brittany Veith 8-1 to complete the sweep.

 

“It is always nice to start the season on a good note, especially when your first match is a conference game,” stated head coach Chris Leicht.

 

In singles play, Bybel earned a 6-2, 6-1 victory over McKee in first singles and Zhang defeated Ertel 6-1, 6-2 at second singles to give the Lady Colonels the winning tally.

 

McDonald beat Snyder 6-4, 6-1 at third singles, Wilt handled Bader 6-0, 6-0 at fourth singles, Knight took care of Ehnes 6-1, 6-1 at fifth singles, and Katie Buckley (Danville, Pa./Danville) rounded out the scoring by defeating Veith 6-0, 6-1 at sixth singles.

 

Wilkes will return to action on Wednesday as they play host to non-conference opponent Lebanon Valley at 3:30 p.m.

Singles
1. Victoria Bybel (Lancaster, Pa./Lancaster Mennonite) (Wilkes) def. Jenny McKee 6-2, 6-1
2. Xiaoqiao Zhang (Zhengzhou City, China/Warren Hills (N.J.)) (Wilkes) def. Lauren Ertel 6-1, 6-2
3. Alison McDonald (Duncannon, Pa./Susquenita) (Wilkes) def. Lillian Snyder 6-4, 6-1
4. Kristin Wilt (Milton, Pa./Milton) (Wilkes) def. Samantha Bader 6-0, 6-0
5. Michelle Knight (Washington, Pa./Trinity) (Wilkes) def. Laura Ehnes 6-1, 6-1
6. Katie Buckley (Danville, Pa./Danville) (Wilkes) def. Brittany Veith 6-0, 6-1

Doubles
1. Xiaoqiao Zhang (Zhengzhou City, China/Warren Hills (N.J.))/Alison McDonald (Duncannon, Pa./Susquenita) (Wilkes) def. Jenny McKee/Lauren Ertel 8-1
2. Victoria Bybel (Lancaster, Pa./Lancaster Mennonite)/Kristin Wilt (Milton, Pa./Milton) (Wilkes) def. Samantha Bader/Laura Ehnes 8-0
3. Michelle Knight (Washington, Pa./Trinity)/Rebekah Shanaman (Richland, Pa./ELCO) (Wilkes) def. Lillian Snyder/Brittany Veith 8-1