The Tusculum College Women's tennis team defeated Mars Hill University 9-0 in a South Atlantic Conference match at the Nichols Tennis Complex on Tuesday afternoon.

The Pioneers (11-2, 3-1 SAC), ranked 44th in the latest ITA Division II poll, swept doubles to open the match against the Lions (4-11, 1-7 SAC), then dropped just one set in singles to post their eighth shutout victory of the season.

In doubles play, Franziska Funke and Amanda Sumner defeated Lucy McLaurin and Jasha Geerdink 8-2 at flight one, Erin Mills and Kealee Heffner won 8-1 at flight two against Samantha Echevarria and Jade Henke, while Adrienne Kaye and Emily Waters shut out Hannah Hill and Natalie Hilbig 8-0 at flight three. The duo of Kaye and Waters is now 9-0 this season, while both players remain unbeaten overall in doubles (Kaye at 12-0, and Waters at 13-0).

In singles, Jule Brass earned a 6-1, 6-0 win over Hill at flight five to give the Pioneers a 4-0 lead. Funke then beat Geerdink 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 at flight two to clinch the match for the Pioneers at 5-0 while improving her season record in singles to 13-0.

Also earning wins were Heffner over Echevarria 6-2, 6-0 at flight one and Mills over McLaurin 6-4, 6-2 at flight three. In pro set action, Kaye beat Henke 8-2 at flight four and Waters downed Hilbig 8-3 for the final point of the match at flight six.

Tusculum will be back on the courts Wednesday afternoon when the Pioneers travel to Cullowhee, North Carolina to face Division I Western Carolina in a non-conference match.