DUE WEST, S.C | The University of North Georgia women's tennis team opened the 2015 season with a come-from-behind 5-4 road win at Erskine on Wednesday afternoon.  The victory was the first ever for UNG over the regionally-ranked Flying Fleet.

Erskine entered the season-opener ranked No. 50 in the latest Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) NCAA Division II poll and tenth in the Southeast region.

The Nighthawks got off of a strong start winning the doubles point courtesy of victories at first and third doubles.  Rita Kaldawi and Natalia Escobar won at No. 1 singles 8-3 over Sarah McDonald and Haley Elliott.  The Erskine duo is ranked fifth in the ITA's Southeast region.

Nela Handac and Hannah Stanford capped the doubles point with an easy 8-1 win over Rebecca Weaver and Caroline Yodice at third doubles.

The Flying Fleet rebounded to take the top two singles matches before UNG's Felicia Baratta posted a 6-4, 6-4 win at No. 3 singles. 

EC's Elliott surged the Flying Fleet ahead with a 6-2, 6-4 win over North Georgia's Simone Krog, but victories at the final two singles spots punctuated the season-opening win for the Nighthawks.

Stanford battled back from dropping the first set to defeat Weaver 5-7, 6-1, 6-3 at No. 6 singles before Mathilde Baartvedt clinched the win with a dramatic tie-breaker win at fifth singles winning 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (4).

North Georgia returns to the courts on Saturday (Feb. 7) in the team's Peach Belt Conference opener at USC Aiken with first serves set for 2:30 p.m.

University of North Georgia 5, #50 Erskine College 4
02-04-15 at Due West, S.C. (EC Tennis Courts)

Singles competition

1. Sarah McDonald (ERSKINE) def. Rita Kaldawi (UNGW) 4-6, 6-1, 6-4

2. Mika Goyette (ERSKINE) def. Natalia Escobar (UNGW) 6-4, 6-2

3. Felicia Baratta (UNGW) def. Miranda Guthrie (ERSKINE) 6-4, 6-4

4. Haley Elliott (ERSKINE) def. Simone Krog (UNGW) 6-2, 6-4

5. Mathilde Baartvedt (UNGW) def. Mollie Polk (ERSKINE) 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (7-4)

6. Hannah Stanford (UNGW) def. Rebecca Weaver (ERSKINE) 5-7, 6-1, 6-3

Doubles competition

1. Rita Kaldawi/Natalia Escobar (UNGW) def. Sarah McDonald/Haley Elliott (ERSKINE) 8-3

2. Mika Goyette/Mollie Polk (ERSKINE) def. Simone Krog/Felicia Baratta (UNGW) 8-6

3. Nela Handac/Hannah Stanford (UNGW) def. Rebecca Weaver/Caroline Yodice (ERSKINE) 8-1

Match Notes

University of North Georgia 1-0

Erskine College 0-1; National ranking #50; Regional ranking #10

Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (2,3,1,4,6,5)