DECATUR, Ga. - For the second time this season, a 2-1 deficit in doubles proved the undoing of the Agnes Scott College tennis team, as they dropped a heartbreaking 5-4 decision to Covenant College (2-1).  First-year Maddie Hoffman continued her exemplary debut season, winning both of her matches for the second time.

In the doubles, both teams battled closely at the top two spots, while Covenant rolled to an 8-4 win at the #3 spot to give the visitors the early advantage.  At the top spot, the duo of Anne Rinaldo and Claire Rinaldo fought back from a break down to level the match at 7-7, before ultimately falling, 9-7.  At the #2 spot, Hoffman and classmate Taylor Lee raised their season record to 2-1 as they fended off Lindsay Geving and Annie Deluca of Covenant, winning 8-6.

In the singles, all six matches were decided in straight sets, with Deluca racing to a quick win at #3 singles to put the Crusaders in the lead 3-1.  Claire Rinaldo and Hoffman would both race to wins at the top two spots for the Scotties, with Rinaldo picking up her first win at the #1 spot, taking out Gretchen Rowe by a score of 6-4, 6-1.  Hoffman easily handled Claire Luger, dropping only one game to bring her record to 2-1 at the #2 spot.  The Scotties (0-3) would fall at the #4 and #5 spot in straight sets to put the match out of reach, before junior transfer Nikki Langford would finish the scoring with her first win of the young spring season, defeating Jennie Spielman 7-6(5), 6-3.

The Sunday matches planned against Birmingham Southern and Oxford of Emory have been postponed due to weather.  Make up dates have not been determined at this time.  The Scotties will return to the court on Tuesday, March 3 as they travel across town to face Oglethorpe University at 4:00 p.m.

Covenant 5, Agnes Scott 4
Feb 28, 2015 at Decatur, Ga.