ROME, Ga. - Berry began its regular season with a match against home rivals, Shorter University, at the Rome Tennis Center this frigid Saturday afternoon.

After nearly two weeks of indoor practice, the women were excited to play outdoors in what would be three closely contested doubles matches. With new pairings at second and third doubles due to the recovery of senior Liv Walton, all of the doubles matches faced early deficits. However, Lauren Masteller and Saris Mejia at first doubles were not ones to quit, leveling the match at 5-5 before ultimately losing to one break of serve 5-7. Lacey Craig and Liv Walton were close with a 3-6 loss at second doubles against a team that converted more break points and opportunities, and Carolina Hanson and Sophie Gibbs rallied at third doubles to win 6-2.

Despite the team trailing after their doubles losses, the team was quick to fight back as both Sophie Gibbs and Liv Walton set the bar, winning 6-0, 6-0 and 6-2, 6-1 at sixth and fifth singles, respectively. Sakura Manning at fourth singles was inspired to win 6-4, 6-1, and with Berry now leading 3-1 it was up to one of the top three singles matches to clinch the team victory. Lauren Masteller at first singles closed the gap to her opponent in the second set but was unfortunately lost 2-6, 4-6, but Saris Mejia was able to get the job done at second singles with a 6-4, 6-3 victory in what was one of her most focused performances to date. With the entire team cheering for third singles Lacey Craig, she was able to mount a comeback victory having been down 1-5 in the first set, winning 7-5, 7-5 and rallying the team to a 5-2 overall victory against Shorter.


Lauren Masteller and Sara Mejia fell to Shorter 5-7
Olivia Walton and Lacey Craig fell to Shorter 3-6
Carolina Hanson and Sophie Gibbs defeated Shorter 6-2


Lauren Masteller fell to Shorter 2-6, 4-6
Sara Mejia defeated Shorter 6-4, 6-3
Lacey Craig defeated Shorter 7-5, 7-5
Sakura Manning defeated Shorter 6-4,6-1
Olivia Walton defeated Shorter 6-2, 6-1
Sophie Gibbs defeated Shorter 6-0, 6-0

Despite a new lineup in both doubles and singles, the women rose to the occasion against a Shorter team which played their best tennis against us in years. They will look to extend their win streak against Division II Reinhardt University next Friday at the Rome Tennis Center.