The Elon University women’s tennis team picked up its first win of the 2014 spring season Saturday Feb. 8, defeating North Carolina Central University (NCCU), 7-0, at the Jimmy Powell Tennis Center.

The Phoenix opened the spring season with a tough stretch of matches, playing highly ranked opponents in No. 54 Virginia Tech, No. 3 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, No. 4 University of Georgia and No. 55 Kansas State University.  As of Feb. 8, these teams had a combined record of 14-4.  The Eagles of NCCU, on the other hand, came to Elon without a win this spring.

Elon made changes to its top two doubles pairings against the Eagles, inserting sophomore Taylor Casey into the No. 1 pairing, alongside senior Jordan Johnston.  Senior Frida Jansaker, Johnston’s usual doubles partner, played at No. 2 doubles for the Phoenix, paired with junior Maria Camara.

Johnston and Jansaker are coming off of a 22-4 campaign in 2013, but the pair has already matched its number off losses from last season, starting 0-4 this year.  Amidst the changes to the doubles lineup, the Phoenix won all three of its matches, earning the doubles point.

Elon carried its doubles success into the singles matches, winning all six.  Johnston took care of business at No. 1 singles, topping sophomore Aissa Muamba, 6-3, 6-2.  Jansaker, Bryn Khoury, Casey and Camara also won their matches handily to take a commanding lead. Freshman Tolley Rice even saw her first action of the season, earning a three-set, tiebreaker win over freshman Lynsey Cover for her first win of the season.

The match against NCCU was Elon’s first this spring against an unranked opponent.  After facing four straight ranked teams prior to its match against the Eagles, the Phoenix is not scheduled to play another ranked team this season.

Due to the forecast of inclement weather, Elon’s match against Norfolk State University, scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Feb. 8, was cancelled.  The match will be made up at a later date.

The Phoenix, in the midst of a seven-match homestand, will face Campbell University Feb. 12 in its next match, scheduled for 1:30 p.m.  Following will be a Valentine’s Day matchup against the Seahawks of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.  The match is set for 2 p.m. Feb. 14 at the Jimmy Powell Tennis Center.