EDWARDSVILLE – The defending MAC Freedom champion Wilkes University women's tennis team opened the 2017 fall season in fine fashion sweeping Messiah College 9-0 Saturday afternoon at the Ralston Athletic Complex.
 
It was a matchup of the two defending conference title winners as Messiah claimed the MAC Commonwealth crown a year ago. Wilkes opened with a 3-0 lead in doubles play before taking all six singles flights in a match that was moved indoors due to the inclement weather that swept across the area.
 
Wilkes returns to the courts September 22-25 when the Lady Colonels participate in the ITA Regionals hosted by Mary Washington University in Fredericksburg, Va.
 
Wilkes University 9, Messiah College 0
 
Singles competition:
1. J. Vasarkovy (WUWT) def. Kelly Hopkins (MESSW) 8-1
2. F. Varela-Seri (WUWT) def. Kaitlyn Russell (MESSW) 8-4
3. D. Saliyev (WUWT) def. Carly Dove (MESSW) 8-2
4. L. Zielinski (WUWT) def. Amanda Adams (MESSW) 8-4
5. B. Stanton (WUWT) def. Emily Wichert (MESSW) 8-2
6. S. Malone (WUWT) def. Sarah Summerson (MESSW) 8-4
 
Doubles competition:
1. J. Vasarkovy/D. Saliyev (WUWT) def. Carly Dove/Kelly Hopkins (MESSW) 8-3
2. F. Varela-Seri/L. Zielinski (WUWT) def. Kaitlyn Russell/Emily Wichert (MESSW) 8-1
3. B. Stanton/D. Markle (WUWT) def. Amanda Adams/Rebekah Adams (MESSW) 8-4