Lady Patriots beat USC Pacers, recognize seniors

The Patriot women’s tennis team ended their regular season on a high, beating the USC Aiken Pacers 5-4 and clinching a Peach Belt Conference (PBC) tournament berth Sunday.

All three seniors playing in their last regular season game for the Patriots took home victory in their singles matchups, leading the team by example in this important PBC matchup.

Marie Krueger took her singles matchup in straight sets 6-2, 6-4 while Anna Wintrich also took home her singles matchup in straight sets 6-3, 6-4. It would be final senior of the three Sofia Henning whos big singles victory proved pivotal in this hard-fought encounter. She would take home her matchup 7-5, 2-6 and 7-5.

Freshman Elisa Lang would also take home her singles matchup fighting back after losing the first set to win 6-7, 6-3 and 6-3. The Patriots would only take home one doubles matchup but it was their tenacity in the singles that would take them home.

Henning was delighted with the way things panned out and is happy to be heading to her final PBC tournament.

“We had to work hard today, they didn’t give us anything,” Henning said. “We have worked hard this season to be where we are and we are hoping to keep it going.”

The team recognized Sofia Henning, Anna Wintrich and Marie Krueger for playing their last matches as lady Patriots.

An eighth placed seed for the Patriots will likely see them face up against the Columbus State Cougars. The Cougars took the regular season match against the Patriots 9-0 but a season-closing pair of wins for the Patriots will likely give them the confidence boost they will going to need heading into the postseason.