NORFOLK, Va. – The historic start for Longwood women's tennis continues.
 
Extending the best opening to a season in the Division I era, Longwood (7-2) made quick work of Norfolk State and secured a 4-0 shutout behind a doubles-point win and victories at the top three singles slots Thursday afternoon at the NSU Tennis Complex.
 
Bouncing back from a heartbreaking 4-3 loss at N.C. Central in their last Division I bout, the Lancers built momentum with a doubles-point win and parlayed that into three straight-sets wins at singles Nos. 1-2-3. The pair of junior Jamie Breunig and sophomore Yulia Almiron both earned doubles and singles wins to power the sweep.
 
"Today we started out a little slow in doubles, but we were able to pull it out," said Breunig, who improved to 9-3 in singles and 7-6 in doubles on the year. "There was a good energy today during our matches, and we need to use that to continue improving on the mental aspect of the game moving forward."
 
Playing to predetermined clinch, the Lancers (7-2) Breunig played a key role in securing the first point, pairing with Almiron for a 7-5 doubles win that clinched doubles play. Their win broke a 1-1 doubles score, building on Crystal Nzewi and Anika Tylek's win at 6-2 at No. 3 and overcoming Marija Venta and Emma Nurgaizeva's 7-5 loss at No. 1.
 
Venta then bounced back with a quick 6-2, 6-1 singles win, topping Norfolk State ace Naz Karagoz en route to her second straight win playing as Longwood's No. 1. Almiron followed with a 6-1, 6-4 victory at No. 3 over Zoe Fraser, putting Longwood within one point of clinching.
 
Breunig ended the match herself, securing her fourth consecutive win with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Paula Fortuno to end the predetermined clinch at 4-0. That win improved the Lancer junior to 7-2 this spring, which includes a 5-1 win when playing as Longwood's No. 2.
 
Breunig's win cut short Longwood's three remaining matches, leaving No. 5 Tylek and No. 6 Nzewi with first-set leads in their respective bouts, and No. 4 Nurgazieva playing in set two after her opening 6-2 win in set one.
 
Now winner of two of their past three matches in March, the Lancers will open Big South play against perennial championship contender and preseason favorite Winthrop this Sunday, March 17, at 11 a.m. The Longwood men will also make that trip and take on the Eagles, who ended their season in heartbreaking fashion in last year's Big South semifinals 4-3.
 
Longwood 4, Norfolk State 0
March 14, 2019
Norfolk, Va. (NSU Tennis Complex)
 
Singles competition
1. VENTA, Marija (LWU) def. KARAGOZ,Naz (NSUW) 6-2, 6-1
2. BREUNIG, Jamie (LWU) def. FORTUNO,Paula (NSUW) 6-4, 6-3
3. ALMIRON, Yulia (LWU) def. FRASER,Zoe (NSUW) 6-1, 6-4
4. FIELDS,Joyce (NSUW) vs. NURGAZIEVA, Emma (LWU) 2-6, 5-2, unfinished
5. GONCALVES,Bruna (NSUW) vs. TYLEK, Anika (LWU) 4-5, unfinished
6. STRODE,Adriana (NSUW) vs. NZEWI, Crystal (LWU) 2-6, unfinished
 
Doubles competition
1. KARAGOZ,Naz/FRASER,Zoe (NSUW) def. VENTA, Marija/NURGAZIEVA, Emma (LWU) 7-5
2. ALMIRON, Yulia/BREUNIG, Jamie (LWU) def. FORTUNO,Paula/FIELDS,Joyce (NSUW) 7-5
3. NZEWI, Crystal/TYLEK, Anika (LWU) def. GONCALVES,Bruna/STRODE,Adriana (NSUW) 6-2
 
Match Notes
Longwood 7-2
Norfolk State 1-5
 
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (1,3,2)
 
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