FARMVILLE, Va. – Big South frontrunner Campbell survived singles wins from Longwood at No. 1 and No. 5 to cruise to a 5-2 victory that spoiled the Lancers' home opener Friday afternoon on the Lancer Courts.
 
After opening the season with 12 consecutive road matches, the Lancers (8-5) stepped onto the court as the home team for the first time, doing so against a Fighting Camels (9-9) squad that was picked to finish second behind powerhouse Winthrop in the Big South Preseason Coaches Poll. Campbell showcased its preseason pedigree by winning the doubles point in quick fashion and then taking a 2-0 lead with a straight-sets singles win at No. 2 followed by two more three-set wins at Nos. 3 and 4.
 
Longwood junior Marija Venta, playing in her seventh consecutive match as Longwood's No. 1, upended Campbell ace Lou Regen 4-5, 6-3, 7-5. The comeback win marked the first time this season Venta rallied from a first-set loss to pull out a win and improved the Slovenia native's record to 7-6 this spring.
 
Longwood freshman standout Emma Nurgazieva also pulled out another win, improving her inaugural collegiate record to 11-1 by defeating Alandra Nicoara 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 at No. 5. That victory marked only the second time Nurgazieva went to three sets this season .
 
Nurgazieva's win would be Longwood's last of the day, however, as Campbell rode the momentum from the doubles-point win to a 4-0 lead before Longwood got on the board with the back-to-back wins  from Nurgazieva and Venta.
 
Friday's home match was Longwood's first of the season, and the first of three straight this weekend. The Lancers return to their home courts Saturday to host UNC Asheville at 1 p.m. and follow with another bout against Howard Sunday.
 
Campbell 5, Longwood 2
March 22, 2019
Farmville, Va. (Lancer Courts)

Singles competition
1. VENTA, Marija (LWU) def. REGEN, Lou (CAM) 4-6, 6-3, 7-5
2. CASTILLO, Ana (CAM) def. ALMIRON, Yulia (LWU) 6-1, 6-3
3. CUTURA, Lea (CAM) def. BREUNIG, Jamie (LWU) 7-5, 5-7, 6-1
4. RAMON, Inma (CAM) def. TYLEK, Anika (LWU) 6-2, 4-6, 6-3
5. NURGAZIEVA, Emma (LWU) def. NICOARA, Alexandra (CAM) 6-3, 1-6, 6-4
6. ROUSTAN, Pauline (CAM) def. NZEWI, Crystal (LWU) 6-2, 6-1
 
Doubles competition
1. REGEN, Lou/CASTILLO, Ana (CAM) def. VENTA, Marija/TYLEK, Anika (LWU) 6-3
2. BREUNIG, Jamie/ALMIRON, Yulia (LWU) vs. NICOARA, Alexandra/CUTURA, Lea (CAM) 4-4, unfinished
3. RAMON, Inma/ROUSTAN, Pauline (CAM) def. NURGAZIEVA, Emma/NZEWI, Crystal (LWU) 6-1
 
Match Notes
Campbell 9-9
Longwood 8-5
 
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