The Winston-Salem State University women’s tennis team made history on Thursday afternoon at the WSSU Tennis Complex as they blanked the Salem College Spirits 7-0 en route to recording the first-ever sweep of an opponent at the three-year old tennis facility. WSSU earned victories at all three doubles flights and all six singles flights as the Lady Rams improved to 2-21 on the season.

The Lady Rams quickly took the 1-0 lead after dominating in doubles. At No. 1, Shannon Loughnan and Laken Joyce put away Elise Norton and Michala Michaux 8-1, while Terese Lavan and Jessica Smith handed Kim Wisen and K. Lawrence an 8-2 defeat at No. 3. Gabrielle Benjamin and Johanna Nunez completed the sweep with an 8-3 victory at the second position.

WSSU won all six singles matches in straight sets for the sweep. Loughnan shut out Elise Norton in the first set, 6-0, and followed with a 7-5 second-set victory. Joyce easily defeated Anna DeVoe 6-2, 6-0 at No. 2, while Nunez had no problem at No. 3 as she defeated Michaux 6-0, 6-3.

Lavan defeated Elena LaViolette in straight 6-1 sets at spot four and Benjamin took a 6-0, 6-1 victory over Wisen at fifth singles. Smith won at No. 6 after Sarah Williams retired.

The victory improves Winston-Salem State to 2-21 overall while Salem College falls to 1-7 overall with the loss.

Winston-Salem State returns to action on Saturday, April 12 as they travel to Tallahassee, Florida to face the Rattlers of Florida A&M University in the final weekend of competition in their 2008 season.

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