KINGSPORT, Tenn. - University of Pikeville women's tennis opened their 2026 season with a 7-0 loss to Lees-McRae College Thursday afternoon.  

In the opening doubles match, Lina Ngassi and Caroline Brothers defeated the duo of Teegan Carpenter and Natalia Geraldine Salinas 6-2. The Cougars secured the doubles team point after LMC's Kylie Childers and Alexa Mazzei won 6-2 over Elizabeth Davis and grace Clark.  

In the opening singles match, Ngassi defeated Geraldine Salinas 7-5 in the first set, then won the team point after a 6-3 win in set two. Carpenter took on Mazzei from LMC in the second singles match. Carpenter competed in the first set but fell 6-3, then was defeated 6-1. The Cougars led the match 3-0. Lees-McRae secured the team match after Brothers defeated Davis 6-0, 6-0. Ayende was also defeated 6-0, 6-0 in her match against Childers. The match ended after Clark was defeated 6-0, 6-3 by Smith.  

The Bears will take to the court again at 1:00 p.m. Friday for another road match against UVa. Wise.  

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