HICKORY, N.C. - After a five day layoff to enjoy its Spring Break, the Anderson University women's team picks up a key South Atlantic Conference victory Friday afternoon against Lenoir-Rhyne at Hickory High School.

With the victory, the Trojans improve to 9-6 overall and 4-2 in the SAC, while the Bears fall to 6-11 and 1-7 in conference play.

In the doubles round, Lenoir-Rhyne's Dominique Bruce and Marta Escanero Funes edged out No. 22 Ivey Welborn and Rebecca Bruning in a heartbreaking, 9-7 (8-6), loss at the No. 1 spot. Trojan tandem Alexandra Ebner and Jennifer Holcombe defeated Julia Ponomareva and Lucy Stofberg, 8-3, in the No. 2 slot while Abigail Gregory and Natalia San Jose put away Taylor Fredrickson and Jessica Rumple, 8-0, in the No. 3 hole to give the Black and Gold a 2-1 lead.

In the singles portions, the Trojans picked up four wins to set the final score at 6-3. Welborn battled hard at the No. 2 spot to defeat Marta Escanero Funes, 0-6, 7-5, 7-5 while Bruning improves to 12-2 in singles action with a straight set win over Julia Ponomareva. At the No. 5 spot, Holcombe won over Taylor Redrickson, 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 to push her singles win total to nine. Senior on Nikkola Wichenko played well in the No. 6 spot, defeating Jessica Rumple 6-1, 6-3 to improve her overall singles record to 7-5 on the year.

Anderson continues conference action when it returns home Wednesday to face off with Newberry. First serve is set for 3:30 p.m. at the AU Tennis Complex.

Anderson 6, Lenoir-Rhyne 3
Singles competition
1. Dominique Bruce (LR) def. Karen Faria (AU) 6-4, 6-2
2. Ivey Welborn (AU) def. Marta Escanero Funes (LR) 0-6, 7-5, 7-5
3. Rebecca Bruning (AU) def. Julia Ponomareva (LR) 6-4, 6-3
4. Lucy Stofberg (LR) def. Alexandra Ebner (AU) 7-6, 5-7, 6-2
5. Jennifer Holcombe (AU) def. Taylor Fredrickson (LR) 6-3, 3-6, 6-2
6. Nikkola Wichenko (AU) def. Jessica Rumple (LR) 6-1, 6-3
Doubles competition
1. Bruce/ME Funes (LR) def. Welborn/Bruning (AU) 9-7 (8-6)
2. Ebner/Holcombe (AU) def. Ponomareva/Stofberg (LR) 8-3
3. Gregory/San Jose (AU) def. Fredrickson/Rumple (LR) 8-0