Women’s tennis finishes on high note

The Milligan College women's tennis team finished the season 5-6 overall and won three of the last five matches. Much of the Buffs' schedule came against tough competition as three of their last seven matches were against nationally recognized competition.

Rachel Dove, a junior from Shelbyville, Kentucky, led Milligan with a 7-4 singles records, all at No. 6 singles. She won twice against nationally ranked teams and in straight sets both times, defeating her opponents from No. 8 Brenau and No. 13 Union. Dove also posted a narrow loss in the team's match against No. 16 Georgetown, dropping a second-set tiebreak 7-5 before dropping the super tiebreaker 10-8.

Dove highlighted a deep Milligan lineup that was strong on the bottom end. Marlaina Peterson, a junior from Mount Carmel, Tennessee, posted the next most singles wins with five, four of which she won in the No. 5 singles spot. Peterson finished her season winning three of the last five matches.

Following Dove and Peterson were sophomore Kaitlin Barrett, from Kingsport, Tennessee, and senior Karson Light, from Gate City, Virginia. Barrett and Light won four matches in singles this season, representing Milligan primarily at No. 4 and No. 3 singles, respectively.

Light and fellow senior Minda Martin finished their seasons and Milligan careers on an exceptionally high note. Light won three of her last five matches while Martin won her last three matches, including the last two in thrilling fashion, bouncing back from one set down to win in a super tiebreaker.

Light and Martin also played together in doubles in three matches during the team's final road trip of the season, and they won all three times.