The fourth-seeded Oglethorpe women's tennis team won its first-round matchup in the SAA Tournament Friday at the Adams Tennis Complex in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, defeating No. 5 seed Berry 5-2 in a match that was played to decision.

The Stormy Petrels got off to a good start in doubles play, winning the first two matches at Nos. 1 and 3. Senior Caroline Johnson and sophomore Hannah Dattilo picked up an 8-4 win at No. 1, while the duo of sophomore Taylor Cranford and junior Charlotte Disley won 8-2 at No. 3 to give the Petrels a 2-0 lead. A loss at No. 2 doubles sent the Petrels into singles play with a 2-1 lead.

Singles started slowly for the Petrels, as they lost at No. 2, allowing Berry to even the score at 2-2. The Petrels won the next three singles match, however, to clinch the match, 5-2.  Johnson won 7-5, 6-0 at No. 1. Cranford bested her opponent 6-2, 6-2 at No. 4, while junior Delaney Abood picked up a 6-4, 6-4 win at No. 5, clinching the match for the Petrels. 

Oglethorpe head coach Peter Howell had this to say after the match, "This was a typical hard-fought conference match. We got off to a good start in doubles, especially with the play of Cranford and Disley at No. 3. Johnson and Dattilo played very aggressive in winning their match. Taylor gave us a great spark. I was very proud of Delaney coming back for the second consecutive SAA match. Now we have to get ready for tomorrow. We will have a very tough match with top-seeded Sewanee."

The win advances the Petrels to the semifinals against national No. 11 Sewanee. The Petrels' regular-season match with the Tigers was rained out, so this will be the first meeting between the teams. They will square off from the Adams Tennis Complex Saturday morning at 11 a.m. Eastern.