NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Making their debut under first-year head coach Maria Lopez, Longwood seniors Paloma Alatorre and Mason Thomas opened the 2016 fall season with two singles wins apiece at the CNU Invitational this past Friday through Sunday at Eyre Courts on the campus of Christopher Newport University.
 
Lopez' first foray on the Longwood sideline saw the Lancers amass a combined 7-4 singles record and a 3-1 mark in doubles play against a four-team field that included Hampton, Morgan State and Division III Christopher Newport. Alatorre and Thomas, who enter 2016-17 alongside returning No. 2 singles standout Anna Pelak as Longwood's senior trio, led that charge, combining for a 4-1 record in singles play.
 
"It was exciting to watch the team compete this weekend," said Lopez, whose last outing on the sidelines was in the NCAA Division II South Regional in her sixth and final year as Barry University's top assistant. "They have been very receptive to making a lot of changes and adjustments to continue growing as players."

Every member of Lopez' first Lancer squad picked up a singles win over the weekend, including Thomas who finished 2-0 in singles play and teamed with fellow senior Anna Pelak for an undefeated 2-0 mark in doubles play. Thomas and Pelak, who last season went 9-10 as Longwood's No. 2 doubles pairing, made quick work of CNU duo Emily Morgan and Lily Schreiber, 8-2, before edging Hampton's group of Mariam Mitaishvili and Mikaela Pierce, 8-6.
 
Pelak also picked up a straight-sets singles win, as did returning Lancer ace Fallon Burger and freshman Jamie Breunig.
 
"We are focusing on the process and building a winning culture for the program that they can be proud of," Lopez said. "We have a lot of work to do, but the girls are excited to what is ahead for the rest of the year."
 
The CNU Invitational is the first of two fall events for the Lancers, who have four weeks to prepare for the ITA Regionals on Oct. 14-18 in Norfolk, Va.
 
CNU Invitational
Sept. 16-18, 2016
Newport News, Va. (Eyre Courts)
 
Longwood Women's Singles Results
 
Flight No. 1
Jamie Breunig (LWU) def. Johanna Ranta-aho (CNU) 6-4, 7-5
Kristina Titova (HAM) def. Jamie Breunig (LWU) 6-4, 6-3
 
Flight No. 2
Fallon Burger (LWU) def. Kate Huck (CNU) 6-1, 6-4
Mariam Mitaishvili (HAM) def. Fallon Burger (LWU) 2-6, 6-4, 10-7
 
Flight No. 3
Claire Dockrill (CNU) def. Anna Pelak (LWU) 6-4, 6-4
Mason Thomas (LWU) def. Cherise Slocombe (HAM) 6-1, 7-5
 
Flight No. 4
Mason Thomas (LWU) def. Emily Morgan (CNU) 6-0, 6-0
Anna Pelak (LWU) def. Mikaela Pierce (HAM) 6-4, 6-4
 
Flight No. 5
Paloma Alatorre (LWU) def. Colette Gilbert (CNU) 6-0, 6-0
Haley Mullins (HAM) def. Paloma Alatorre (LWU) 6-4, 6-3
 
Flight No. 6
Paloma Alatorre (LWU) def. Brook Byrd (CNU) 6-1, 6-0
 
Longwood Women's Doubles Results
 
Flight No. 1
Jamie Breunig/Fallon Burger (LWU) def. Johanna Ranta-aho/Kate Huck (CNU) 8-2
Cherise Slocombe/Kristina Titova (HAM) def. Jamie Breunig/Fallon Burger (LWU) 8-4
 
Flight No. 2
Anna Pelak/Mason Thomas (LWU) def. Emily Morgan/Lily Schreiber (CNU) 8-2
Katya Jordan/Danielle Thompson (MSU) def. Meili Konell/Emily Morgan (CNU) 9-7
Anna Pelak/Mason Thomas (LWU) def. Mariam Mitaishvili/Mikaela Pierce (HAM) 8-6
 
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