BLACKSBURG, Va. – A roster that's compiled of just two sophomores and five freshmen, Longwood women's tennis entered the season as one of the youngest programs in the country.

You wouldn't have guessed that after Saturday's domination.

The young squad shook off the season-opening jitters Saturday as they downed Bluefield State 6-0 in a neutral site battle behind three singles sweeps.

"Today was a fun day to watch this young team compete," said second-year head coach Maria Lopez. "The girls were able to gauge where their game is at and what we need to work on in the upcoming weeks to get better for our matches."

Led by a strong start in doubles play, the tandem of Jamie Breunig and Marija Venta got it going with an 8-2 victory at the No. 1 slot, picking up where they left off in the fall season.

Meanwhile, recently signed Spanish junior player Yulia Almiron made her Lancer debut with fellow freshman Kaori Terunuma in an 8-0 throttling at the No. 2 line.

All four Lancers carried that momentum into singles play as the trio of Breunig, Terunuma and Venta all enjoyed sweeps at courts 2, 3, and 4 while Almiron battled her way through a tough 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 full-set match to earn her first collegiate victory.

Breunig, who spent most of the season at court No. 1 last season, made her spring debut at the third line with a 6-0, 6-1 drubbing of Bluefield State's Katie Combs. Fellow sophomore Venta battled in her first set with a 7-6 (6-4) over Bluefield State's Bygrave before finishing the match with a 6-3 tally.

On court No. 4, Terunuma collected her first spring win as a Lancer with two dominant 6-0, 6-0 sets over Browning to get singles play started before Breunig and Venta clinched the match.

Up next, the Lancers have nearly a month off to prepare before making their home debut versus Division III power Mary Washington Feb. 24 at Lancer Courts.

"We have a big break and it will give us another opportunity to get better and stronger."

Longwood follows their home opener with a seven game road swing that begins at N.C. Central Feb. 28 and ends at UNCG March 13.

Jan. 27, 2018
Longwood 6, Bluefield State 0
Blacksburg, Va.

Singles
1. Yulia Almiron (LWU) def. Milica Knezevic (BSC) 6-3, 2-6, 6-3
2. Marija Venta (LWU) def. Bygrave (BSC) 7-6 (6-4), 6-3
3. Jamie Breunig (LWU) def. Katie Combs (BSC) 6-0, 6-1
4. Kaori Terunuma (LWU) def. Browning (BSC) 6-0, 6-0
5. Julia Candiotto (LWU) W by def.

Doubles
1. Breunig/Venta (LWU) def. Knezevic/Bygrave (BSC) 8-2
2. Almiron/Terunuma (LWU) def. Browning/Combs (BSC) 8-0

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