RICHMOND, Ky. – The EKU women's tennis team kicked off the 2016 season, splitting two dual matches Friday at the Greg Adam's Tennis Center with Miami (Ohio) University and the University of the Cumberlands.
 
The Colonels (1-1, 0-0 OVC) swept the visiting Patriots in Friday's second match. EKU's three duos clinched the doubles' point in convincing manner, outscoring the Patriots 18 games to two on their way to a 7-0 win.
 
EKU carried its momentum in to singles play, as the Colonels picked up their first win of the 2016 season. Much was the same in singles play, as EKU dominated on their way to a win in straight sets one through six.
 
In Friday's earlier match, the Colonels took on the defending Mid-American Conference champions in Miami (Ohio). However, EKU did not appear intimidated in the least.
 
The Redhawks (1-0, 0-0 MAC) outlasted the Colonels to take the doubles decision, as they headed into singles play. Laura Argente Escamilla took down Anzhelika Shapovalov of Miami in No. 1 singles for an impressive win for the Colonels and her first win of the young season.
 
EKU's Raquel Montalvo Perez battled back-and-forth with Ana Rajkovic before winning an exciting tiebreaker, 12-10, in front of her teammates in the final decision of the day.  

The Colonels return to action next weekend, as they take on Xavier University on Friday and the University of Indianapolis on Saturday. 
 
EKU 7, Univ. of the Cumberlands 0
 
Doubles

1. Laura Argente/Raquel Montalvo (EKU) def. Isabella Dale/Marie Bozeman (UC) 6-1
2. Maria Marti/Corentine Bodin (EKU) def. Chanel Williams/Sydni Grimes (UC) 6-1
3. Vicktorija Demcenkova/Margau Lacroix (EKU) def. Paula Nieto/Haley Mahan (UC) 6-0

 
Singles
 
        1. Laura Argente (EKU) def. Isabella Dale (UC) 6-4, 6-0
        2. Corentine Bodin (EKU) def. Chanel Williams (UC) 6-0, 6-0
        3. Marina Marti (EKU) def. Syndi Grimes (UC) 6-1, 6-1
        4. Viktorija Demcenkova (EKU) def. Marie Bozeman (UC) 6-0, 6-1
        5. Raquel Montalvo (EKU) def. Kaylyn Collete (UC) 6-1, 6-1
        6. Margaux Lacroix (EKU) def. Hannah Wampler (UC) 6-1, 6-0
 
Match Notes:
Order of Finish: Doubles (3, 1, 2); Singles (4, 2, *3, 1, 5, 6)
 
Miami (Ohio) 5, EKU 2
 
Doubles

1. Nelli Ponomareva/Anastasiia Vasiukhin (MIA) def. Laura Argente/Raquel Montalvo (EKU) 6-3
2. Hannah Shteyn/Anzhelika Shapovalov (MIA) def. Maria Marti/Corentine Bodin (EKU) 6-4
3. Ana Rajkovic/Andreea Badileanu (MIA) def. Vicktorija Demcenkova/Margau Lacroix (EKU) 6-1

Singles
 
        1. Laura Argente (EKU) def. Anzhelika Shapovalov (MIA) 6-4, 6-3
        2. Andreea Badileanu (MIA) def. Corentine Bodin (EKU) 6-2, 6-0
        3. Nelli Ponomareva (MIA) def. Marina Marti (EKU) 6-4, 6-4
        4. Hannah Shteyn (MIA) def. Viktorija Demcenkova (EKU) 6-4, 6-2
        5. Emily Struble (MIA) def. Margaux Lacroix (EKU) 6-2, 6-0
        6. Raquel Montalvo (EKU) def. Ana Rajkovic (MIA) 6-2, 0-6, 1-0 (12-10)
 
Match Notes:
Order of Finish: Doubles (3, 1, 2); Singles (2, 4, *3, 1, 5, 6)