HICKORY, N.C. – Freshman Olivia Gallagher led the UNC Greensboro (UNCG) women's tennis squad during a 5-2 setback to Appalachian State Saturday afternoon.
 
The match started at the Hickory Country Club outside, but rain forced the teams to drive 45 minutes to Boone to complete the contest inside. Before the match moved, Gallagher and Hannah Mitchell captured a thrilling 7-5 victory at No. 3 doubles. They battled hard even though the Mountaineers had already claimed the doubles point.
 
Gallagher earned a straight-set victory at No 6. singles, 7-5, 6-4. It was a nice finish to a challenging afternoon of tennis. Also earning a win for UNCG was Ariana Chan at No. 2 singles after her opponent retired.
 
This match could've easily swung in UNCG's favor as three of the singles setbacks were in three sets. Erika Barquero, Eugenia Camacho, and Mitchell showcased plenty of tenacity and a will to win in their matches.
 
Barquero won the opening set, 6-4 before dropping the last two sets by 6-3, 6-4 counts. Camacho also won the first set, 6-3 before falling in the last two sets, 6-2, 6-2. Mitchell's match was probably the most exciting even if she did end up on the wrong side of the decision.
 
After dropping the first set, 6-1, Mitchell rebounded to win the second set, 6-4, before losing 11-9 in an epic tiebreaker.
 
UNCG travels to face South Carolina on Sunday at 3 p.m.
 
"Tough day moving outdoors to indoors, slow courts to lighting fast," first-year UNCG head coach Paul Thomson said. "There's been a lot of growth just in the last 2 weeks. The fight, effort, and desire is there. We just need to clean things up a little and work on a little discipline."
 
Singles Results
Helena Jansen (APP) def. Erika Barquero (UNCGW) 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 2
Ariana Chan (UNCGW) def. Erika Dodridge (APP) 2-1, retired
Virginia Poggi (APP) def. Juliana Craft (UNCGW) 6-1, 6-3
Ellie Murphy (APP) def. Eugenia Camacho (UNCGW) 3-6, 6-2, 6-2
Olwyn Ryan-Bovey (APP) def. Hannah Mitchell (UNCGW) 1-6, 6-4, 11-9
Olivia Gallagher (UNCGW) def. Brooke Gruber (APP) 7-5, 6-4
 
Doubles Results
Helena Jansen/Ellie Murphy (APP) def. Erika Barquero/Ariana Chan (UNCGW) 6-3
Virginia Poggi/Olwyn Ryan-Bovey (APP) def. Mccollough Perry/Juliana Craft (UNCGW) 6-0
Hannah Mitchell/Olivia Gallagher (UNCGW) def. Erika Dodridge/Brooke Gruber (APP) 7-5