Due West, SC – The Erskine Flying Fleet made history today by upsetting #9 Clayton State University 7-2 in non-conference women’s tennis action at the Erskine College Tennis Complex.  It is the first time Erskine has defeated a top 10 ranked team in the program’s history.  With the victory, Erskine climbs to 16-3 on the season.

In the match’s doubles play, Erskine took an early 2-1 lead.  Erskine won the first point as a Clayton State player sustained an injury during warm-ups and had to withdraw.  Clayton State took the next point at #2 doubles to tie the match at 1-1.  Erskine’s #1 doubles pair, Tessa Rheault (Levis, Quebec, Canada, Ecole Pointe Levy) and Mika Goyette (Brossard, Quebec, Ecole Secondaire De Mortagne), won the crucial third match 8-4 over Martina Dedaj and Jessica Budd to give the Fleet the 2-1 advantage heading into the singles play.

Erskine won five of the six singles matches, all in straight sets, to secure their first victory over a top 10 team.  Erskine won the #6 singles match due to the injury for their third point and junior Abby O'Reilly (Acworth, GA, Harrison High School) won the Fleet’s fourth point by topping Charlotte Fabricius 6-2, 6-0.  After losing the next match at #1 singles, Erskine picked up the winning point when junior Victoria Stephens (Cumming, GA, South Forsyth High School) bested Alyze’ Pagal 6-2, 6-2.  The Fleet went on to win the next two matches in straight sets as well.

Erskine returns to conference play tomorrow as they travel to Hartsville, South Carolina, to play in-state conference foe Coker College.  The start time has been moved to 10:00 a.m. due to the likelihood of afternoon rain showers in the area.

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