CONWAY, Ark. -- The John Brown University women's tennis team opened its spring season with a pair of setbacks on Friday (Feb. 15) and Saturday (Feb. 16), respectively, falling to Hendrix (Ark.), 6-3, and Ozarks (Mo.), 5-4, inside the Hatcher Tennis Center.
Despite the pair of losses, the Golden Eagles (0-3) were led by freshman Sydney Smith's performance at the No. 2 singles spot. The freshman bested Hendrix's Greer Ayers and Ozarks' Alexis Rogers in quick fashion, notching 6-2, 6-1 and 6-3, 6-1 victories.
Smith's performance extended into doubles play as she and senior Julia McNeill earned a split on the weekend at the top doubles flight. The duo defeated the Hendrix tandem of Shelby Worsham and Sarah Glass in 8-4 fashion.
Freshman Sabrina Paiz picked up her second-career victory on Saturday against Ozarks' Lexy Corona in dramatic fashion. Paiz dropped the second set 6-3 after winning the first, 6-2. Paiz recovered and took the tiebreak, 10-6.
John Brown will return to the courts on Thursday in Alexandria, La. as the Golden Eagles will face a quintet of teams over a three-day span.
