ANDERSON, S.C. - Opening the season at home for the second straight season, Anderson University women's tennis was unable to protect its home court, falling to South Atlantic Conference foe Newberry 7-2 Saturday evening at the Max Grubbs Memorial Courts.

With the setback, AU falls to 0-1 for the young season as Newberry, which had played four matches entering Saturday's match, improves to 3-2 for the year.

The Trojans began singles action down 2-1 after Preseason SAC First-Team selections Avery Owens and Karen Ching recorded an 8-4 win over Newberry's Susana Aguirre and Romina Adum at the No. 1 position, 8-4. Newberry claimed the No. 2 and No. 3 positions with 8-5 and 8-4 decisions, respectively.

Facing the deficit, Anderson was unable to start a comeback as freshman Rebecca Bruning was the lone Trojan to post a singles win. Bruning, who made her first appearance for the Black and Gold, notched a straight set 6-2, 7-5 win over Adum at the No. 3 spot.

Suffering her first SAC loss in over a year, Owens was defeated by fellow Preseason SAC first-team selection, Aguirre, at the No. 1 position, 6-1, 6-4.

The Trojans look to grab their first win of the season when they return to action on Wednesday at GRU Augusta. First serve is set for 2 p.m.