GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) women's tennis team began a tough weekend against nationally-ranked opponents by falling 7-0 to ETSU in a Southern Conference contest Friday at the UNCG Tennis Stadium.
 
The Bucs entered the contest ranked 74th nationally. They remained undefeated in SoCon competition. UNCG competed with five players.
 
Despite the setback, the Spartans are a talented program with a bright future as many of their young players are gaining significant experience under first-year head coach Paul Thomson.  
 
Sophomore Juliana Craft led UNCG at No. 1 singles. She battled Laylo Bakhodirova, the 100th-ranked singles player in the country. Craft held a 3-2 lead in the first set against Bakhodirova. Freshman Olivia Gallagher, who started the season at No. 6 singles, has been moved into the No. 2 singles position.
 
Same with freshman Raegan Mitchell, who was playing at No. 5 singles earlier in the season. Now, Mitchell is competing at No. 3 singles. The freshmen have had to grow-up quicker than anticipated as they are playing against tougher and more seasoned opponents.
 
While the season hasn't gone according to plan for the Spartans, they can take comfort knowing that the best is yet for to come for the program. In glory, you see what a team is capable of, however, in hard times, you see what a team is made of.
 
UNCG returns to action on Sunday when it hosts 35th-ranked Furman. The match starts at 12 p.m.
 
Results
Singles
No. 100 Laylo Bakhodirova (ETSU) def. Juliana Craft, 6-3, 6-0
Alejandra Morales (ETSU) def. Olivia Gallagher, 6-2, 6-0
Fernanda Carvajal (ETSU) def. Hannah Mitchell, 6-1, 6-1
Emilia Alfaro (ETSU) def. Eugenia Camacho, 6-0, 6-0
Daniela Rivera (ETSU) def. Mccollough Perry, 6-0, 6-0
Yuneun Elizarraras (ETSU) won by default
 
Doubles
Bakhodirova and Morales (ETSU) def. Craft and Mitchell, 6-1
Alfaro and Gorbunova (ETSU) def. Gallagher and Perry, 6-0
Carvajal and Rivera (ETSU) won by default