MONTREAT, N.C.— The Montreat women's tennis team hosted and defeated the No. 8-ranked Union College Bulldogs on Sunday in the squad's Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) opener, cruising to a 6-1 victory. Sunday's triumph marked the Cavaliers' third consecutive win over the Bulldogs and their second of the season. With the win, the Cavs now sit at 4-5 (1-0 AAC) on the season.
 
Montreat got off to a strong start by taking the doubles point from Union in an efficient manner. Stephanie Petit and Carol Reis dispatched Teodora Jovic and Nicole Viljoen, the NAIA's No. 11-ranked double pairing, in short order, 6-2. Valerie Quiceno Ibarguen and Sofia Hernandez Mera were equally as effective in the No. 2 doubles slot, defeating the pairing of Karen Kondo and Maria Arteaga in just seven games (6-1) to secure a 1-0 Cavalier edge.
 
Petit, who ranks as the No. 2 singles player in the NAIA, picked up right where she left off against Union's Kondo. In a straight-sets win, Petit cruised to take the opening set, 6-2, before winning a tighter second set, 7-5.
 
Union (7-3, 3-1 AAC) utilized a win from No. 6 Jovic in the No. 2 slot to get on the scoreboard, but the Cavaliers handled the rest of the Bulldogs' lineup on Sunday. Playing at No. 3, Vaishnavi Venkatesh claimed a straight-sets win over Arteaga, 6-2, 6-4. Meanwhile, Reis needed three sets to topple Viljoen, capitalizing on an emphatic final frame to earn another point for the Cavaliers (6-2, 4-6, 6-0).
 
Nicole Bueno was among the Cavaliers who tasted victory on Sunday, taking all six games of the first set in the No. 5 singles spot before her opponent, Mai Kitashita, was forced to retire. Mariam Bayatyan was also credited for a win in Montreat, N.C. as the Bulldogs only had five players present to compete in singles action.
 
Montreat's 6-1 victory over Union on Sunday ended the Bulldogs' six-match winning streak. The Cavaliers are now responsible for two of Union's three losses on the year.
 
The Montreat women's tennis team looks to build on its conference-opening win with another AAC matchup on Thursday at Reinhardt University. Doubles play is set to begin at 1:00 p.m. in Waleska, Ga.
 
No. 6 Montreat College 6, No. 8 Union College 1
Doubles play:

1. Stephanie Petit/Carol Reis (MONT) def. No. 11 Teodora Jovic/Nicole Viljoen (UC) 6-2
2. Valerie Quiceno Ibarguen/Sofia Hernandez Mera (MONT) def. Karen Kondo/Maria Arteaga (UC) 6-1
3. Nicole Bueno/Sofia Rojas Osorio (MONT) vs. Alba Rodenas/Mai Kitashita (UC) unf.

Singles play:

1. No. 2 Stephanie Petit (MONT) def. Karen Kondo (UC) 6-2, 7-5
2. No. 6 Teodora Jovic (UC) def. No. 10 Valerie Quiceno Ibarguen 6-1, 6-4
3. Vaishnavi Venkatesh (MONT) def. Maria Arteaga (UC) 6-2, 6-4
4. Carol Reis (MONT) def. Nicole Viljoen (UC) 6-4, 4-6, 6-0
5. Nicole Bueno (MONT) def. Mai Kitashita (UC) 6-0, ret.
6. Mariam Bayatyan (MONT) def. (UC) forfeit