ATLANTA, Ga. ---- Dropping just two games in doubles and winning four singles matches in straight sets, the Auburn Montgomery women's tennis team earned an 8-1 victory over Clark Atlanta Friday to secure the first NCAA Division II win in the program's history.
 
The contest was the season opener for the Warhawks, while the Panthers fell to 0-2 on the year.
 
"I think the girls had a lot of intensity early in the match today and that carried over immediately into doubles," head coach Rolando Vargas said. "We competed well in all of the matches, but we can continue to get better. I think we need to quickly improve in some areas with a match against a tough Young Harris team tomorrow."
 
In doubles, the duo of Alejandra Gil and Iris Verweij teamed to pick up an 8-1 win at the No. 3 position to put the Warhawks ahead, 1-0. Paula Diaz and Anna Rudolfova upped the lead with an 8-0 victory at the top spot, before Celine Lenertz and Kelly Southwood completed the doubles sweep with an 8-1 win at the two spot.
 
In singles, Southwood earned a singles victory at the No. 2 spot when DiAndrea Galloway retired. Rudolfova cruised to a 6-0, 6-0 win at the No. 6 position, before Verweij rolled to a 6-0, 6-1 victory at the fourth position. Lenertz and Gill each breezed to straight-set victories at the third and fifth position, respectively to complete the scoring. Diaz fell at the top spot to Tori Pradler, 7-6, 7-5.
 
The Warhawks will return to action Saturday, Feb. 4, when they host Young Harris at 1 p.m. at Lagoon Park.
 
COMPLETE RESULTS
Doubles
1. Paula Diaz/Anna Rudolfova (AUMW) def. Tori Pradier/Avern Gumbs (CAU) 8-0
2. Celine Lenertz/Kelly Southwood (AUMW) def. DiAndrea Galloway/Alexis Fletcher (CAU) 8-1
3. Alejandra Gil/Iris Verweij (AUMW) def. Vanessa Eusebio/Khadija Elder (CAU) 8-1
 
Singles
1. Tori Pradier (CAU) def. Paula Diaz (AUMW) 7-6, 7-5
2. Kelly Southwood (AUMW) def. DiAndrea Galloway (CAU) retired
3. Celine Lenertz (AUMW) def. Alexis Fletcher (CAU) 6-2, 6-0
4. Iris Verweij (AUMW) def. Vanessa Eusebio (CAU) 6-0, 6-1
5. Alejandra Gil (AUMW) def. Avern Gumbs (CAU) 6-0, 6-1
6. Anna Rudolfova (AUMW) def. Khadija Elder (CAU) 6-0, 6-0
 
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (2,6,4,3,5,1)