The second day of competition for the Sweet Briar Vixen tennis team was off to a great start in singles play.  First-year player Moriah Burke (Rockville, Mary.) had advanced in the consolation flight of the championship "A" draw.  Burke played against Centre College player Decampe in this morning's match-up.

Play took place at Emory's Student Activity Center  at 10:00 a.m. in sunny and clear conditions.  Both players showed their conservative side and took their time getting into their full rally mode.  After exchanging service breaks for the first five games, Burke was still on serve at 2-3.  Decampe found her pace and picked up two quick games with some blistering groundstrokes and consistent serving.  Burke was fighting her way through some tough rallies that ended with some clear winners by Decampe.  It looked as if Decampe was on her way to the quarterfinal round.

Moriah stayed right with her opponent, matching her groundstroke for groundstroke.  Her serves became more accurate and Decampe was losing her confidence as Burke's was growing stronger.  Burke's determined attitude and energy on the court served her well as she started to dictate play and eventually gained control of the points from the baseline.  When the opportunity presented itself, she was efficient at closing out the point at the net, showing her all-court capability.

Burke pulled away and advanced to the quarterfinal round with a victory over Decampe, 8-6.

The quarterfinal match for Burke was against veteran player Flaherty of Methodist College. The patient play of steady and high net-clearing groundstrokes, peppered with some flat power when needed, gave Flaherty the edge early on in the match.  Burke adjusted with positioning and closing to the net, but it was not in time to change the momentum.  Flaherty won by a score of 8-3.

The doubles team of Virginia Edahl ('10/Charlotte, N.C.) and Burke was matched against the #1 seeded team from Emory University, Dawson and McManigle.  The Vixen duo had some great points in the match, but the Emory team won soundly with a score of 8-1.

The next competition for the Vixens will be at the Old Dominion Athletic Conference Fall Individual Tournament held this year at Hollins University on October 10th and 11th, with play beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday.