Battling Bishops drop women's tennis opener to Salem, 7-1

Winston-Salem, NC - The North Carolina Wesleyan women's tennis team opened its 2009 slate on Friday, falling on the road at Salem College by an 7-1 score. Sophomore Jaime Galasso earned the Battling Bishops' lone point with a 6-3, 7-5 win at #1 singles over Salem's Elise Rouse.

The Spirits took a quick 3-0 match lead with a sweep in doubles action. Galasso and teammate Leila Heinonen fell at the #1 slot by an 8-3 score, while Tori Tenner and Meghan Herd fell 8-2 at the #2 position. NCWC newcomers Joanne Youngblood and Tija Riley dropped an 8-1 decision at the third slot.

The Bishops showed improved scores in singles play as no player was shutout.  Heinonen came close to recording her first singles win before her 7-5, 5-7 match was suspended due to darkness.

Now 0-1, Wesleyan returns to action on Tuesday, March 3rd when the Bishops travel to Chowan University. Match time is slated for 1:00 p.m. in Murfreesboro.