MEMPHIS, Tenn. (Apr. 1, 2017) – Millsaps College took an early lead and never looked back today at Rhodes College where the Majors scored a 7-2 win in Southern Athletic Association (SAA) women's tennis play. Ranked No. 14 in the regional rankings, Millsaps won five of six in singles play against No. 19 ranked Rhodes to secure the win.
 
Millsaps (12-3, 2-0 SAA) and Rhodes (8-6, 1-1 SAA) split the first two doubles matches by identical 8-5 scores. The Majors picked up the advantage going into singles play when their No. 3 team of junior Reya Hayek (Greenville, Miss.) and freshman Natalie Toups (Baton Rouge, La.) held off their opponents in a close 9-8 (2) win.
 
Freshman Maggie Dabadie (Baton Rouge, La.) scored the first point in singles play for Millsaps, winning a 6-1, 6-2 decision at No. 2 that was followed by junior Ashley Ford (Austin, Texas) taking a 6-4, 6-4 win at No. 1 to put the Majors within a point of taking the match.
 
Rhodes pulled back within two points with a win at No. 3, but sophomore Tori Barbier (Metairie, La.) put it in the win column for the Majors, rebounding from a second set loss in a 6-1, 3-6, 6-0 decision at No. 6. Millsaps went on to take the remaining matches as well, with junior Mary Claiborne-Sharpe (Brownsville, Tenn.) holding off Sara Lynn Abbott at No. 4, 6-0, 7-6 (5) and junior Reya Hayek (Greenville, Miss.) wrapping things up at No. 5 with a 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 victory.
 
Millsaps will stay on the road tomorrow for another SAA match, traveling to Hendrix College for a 10:00 a.m. meeting with the Warriors.