WKU Tennis opened its 2022 season with a 5-2 win against Bellarmine Monday afternoon, improving its record to 8-0 all-time against Knights. 

“I thought the team played well,” WKU head coach Greg Davis said in a press release. “Bellarmine has a much-improved team, and we knew going into this match that it wouldn’t be easy. Our freshmen Sofia, Rachel and Mariana did a great job in their first college match.”   

The Lady Toppers started the match off hot, jumping out to a 2-0 lead. The No. 1 doubles pair for WKU, redshirt sophomore Paola Cortez and redshirt junior Cora-Lynn Von Dungern, won a 6-2 decision before the No. 3 duo of freshmen Mariana Zegada and Sofia Blanco took a 6-4 victory, giving WKU the opening point.  

The Lady Toppers won the second point after redshirt senior Laura Bernardos dominated singles play with a 6-4, 6-0 in before the Knights came roaring back to tie the match at 2-2.

WKU stopped Bellarmine’s momentum in its tracks after redshirt sophomore Taylor Shaw, freshman Rachel Hermanova and sophomore Samantha Martinez posted three consecutive straight-set victories to give the Lady Toppers a 5-2 win. 

Up next, WKU will host its next six matches in Bowling Green, beginning with UT Martin on Jan. 23 at 2 p.m.  

Sports Editor Wyatt Sparkman can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @wyattsparkman3.