MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Tenn. (Sept. 15, 2018) â€" The Milligan College men's and women's tennis teams beat the rain and defeated UVa-Wise Saturday afternoon in the opening match of the 2018-19 season. Under cloudy skies and a forecast of scattered showers, Milligan's men won 8-1 while Milligan's women overcame an early hole to win 6-3.
 
Mason Grear, Taylor Graalman and Griffin Leonard all won two matches on the day for the men. Grear and Graalman won 8-1 at one doubles before turning around for 6-1, 6-0 and 6-1, 6-1 wins at No. 1 and No. 2 singles. Leonard paired with Joseph Lyttle for an 8-1 win at No. 2 doubles before winning 6-0, 6-2 at No. 3 singles.
 
The women's match was much closer, but the Buffs used a strong effort in singles to overcome an early deficit from doubles. Karson Light and McKenzie Grady were keys to success as both won two matches, including a definitive 8-2 victory at No. 3 doubles. Light followed with a 6-4, 6-1 win at No. 3 singles, and Grady followed with a 6-2, 6-1 win at No. 5 singles.
 
Chessa Jones had the closest match of the day as she won her first set in a tiebreak and closed out a close second set (7-6, 6-4). Jones' win helped the Buffs even the match up after falling behind 2-1 in doubles. Minda Martin (6-1, 6-0 at No. 4 singles), Grady and Marlaina Peterson (6-2, 6-0 at No. 6 singles) finished the match out with straight-sets wins.
 
Milligan was originally scheduled to play Sunday, Sept. 16, versus Mars Hill University back here at Mathes Tennis Center. However, the match has been rescheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 9, at 1 p.m. The next match for the Buffs will be Saturday, Oct. 6, against Columbia College at home for the women and Sunday, Oct. 7, against Ferrum College on the road for the men.

ðŸ"·: Robert Kell, Creative Story Visuals