BRISTOL, Tenn. – The West Liberty University women's tennis team's strength in doubles play was a key here Saturday as the Black and Gold pulled out a 4-3 win against UVa-Wise in a Mountain East Conference match at the Bristol Racquet and Fitness Club.
    Coach Heather Gallagher's Hilltoppers (3-0, 1-0) got off to a strong start by taking two of the three doubles match to earn the doubles point and it proved to be the difference in the match.
    The Cavaliers (1-7, 1-1) prevailed at No. 1 doubles but WLU's Raissa Wagner and Anita Ponti teamed up for a 6-0 shutout at No. 2 doubles and the No. 3 doubles pairing of Carleyah McLean and Luisa Agudelo delivered a 6-1 win for the Black and Gold.
    UVa-Wise picked up wins at No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 singles to come within a point of stealing the match but Agudelo, McLean and senior Laura Huwe came through with straight-set wins to put the Hilltoppers over the top.
    The West Liberty women will continue their southern swing this week as they compete in a series of matches at Hilton Head Island, S.C.
  Liza Akimenko (UVW) d. Raissa Wagner, 6-0 6-1
Katya Akimenko (UVW) d. Chloe Riley, 3-6 6-0 6-1
Aya Melhern (UVW) d. Anita Ponti, 7-6 6-3
Laura Huwe (WLU) d. Montana Hill, 6-1 6-0
Carleyah McLean (WLU) d. Grace Hall, 6-1 6-4
Luisa Agudelo (WLU) d. Olivia Dishner, 6-1 6-0 L.Akimenko/K.Akimenko (UVW) d. Riley/Huwe, 6-4
Wagner/Ponti (WLU) d. Melhern/Hall, 6-0
McLean/Agudelo (WLU) d. Hill/Lillian Morris, 6-1