UTC coach Jeff Clark The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga women’s tennis team began its 2016 schedule with a 6-1 loss Sunday at Memphis, which was also playing its opener.
Kayla Jones, playing in her hometown, took part in both of UTC’s victories for the day. She won her No. 1 singles match 5-7, 6-3, 4-1 when the Tigers’ Anki Wind retired in the third set, and that came after Jones teamed with fellow senior Kelsey Coots for a 7-6 (1) win at No. 1 doubles.
“Kayla Jones had an outstanding day,” UTC coach Jeff Clark said in a release. “She and Kelsey beat a strong doubles pair and dominated the tiebreaker. Kayla then showed great senior leadership with a come-from-behind three-set win. She had a big crowd of family and friends, so I was really happy for her to get that win.”
The Mocs, who brought back five starters from the lineup that earned the program’s third straight 18-win season last year, return to competition at 6 p.m. Friday by hosting Lipscomb at McCallie.
Baseball
‘ Chattanooga State is holding a fundraising breakfast for its baseball team Jan. 30 from 8:30 to 10:30 in the school cafeteria. Tickets for a $5 donation will be available at the door or ahead of time through coaches Greg Dennis (697-2418) and Joe Wingate (697-4775).
Basketball
‘ The Cleveland State basketball teams both gave valiant efforts but fell just short of upsetting Walters State in TCCAA games Saturday at Morristown. The Lady Cougars stayed close throughout against the undefeated and nationally ranked Lady Senators, who pulled out a 62-60 win. The Cougars then fought to the wire in a 69-66 loss. While Ant’Treasia Patton was scoring 20 points for the Walters women (20-0, 9-0), JLynn Majors and Leasa Butler scored 17 and 16 for Cleveland State (13-4, 7-2). Courtland Crutcher had 20 points for the Cougars (6-9, 4-5), who got 18 and 15 points and nine and 15 rebounds from Darrion Leslie and Lawrence Castor. Chattanooga’s Corey Nelson had 13 points and 11 rebounds for the Senators (15-5, 7-2).
Swimming & Diving
‘ Sewanee lost Saturday at home to Birmingham-Southern, 173-108 in the women’s meet and 208-78 in the men’s, but the Tigers had some outstanding individual performances. Sophomore Meghan Mulhern won the women’s 200 and 1,000 freestyle events in 2:03.08 and 11:20.03, and teammates Carolyn Rice and Emily Gay were first and second in the 400 individual medley in 5:02.09 and 5:04.50. Sewanee teammates also finished first and second in diving, with Fiona O’Brien edging fellow freshman Jessica Zahn in 1-meter and Courtney Moore topping Winston Westbrook in the men’s 1- and 3-meter events. Zahn was the women’s 3-meter winner.