HARROGATE, Tenn. -- The Lincoln Memorial University tennis teams each won home matches Saturday evening topping Emory & Henry College at the Tennis Indoor Center. Both teams play again Sunday afternoon at the Poteat Outdoor Complex against regional rival Lee University, with first serve set for 1:30 p.m. 
 
On Saturday, Sophia Aray won her debut at #1 Singles in a match tiebreaker to complete a 7-0 win for the Lady Railsplitters, who moved their record to 5-1 on the Spring. Aray took the first set 6-4 but fell behind in set two and never recovered in losing it 3-6. After dropping the first point of the deciding match 10-point tiebreaker, the freshman took seven of the next eight points for a commanding lead before closing out the match, 10-4.
 
"I was quite impressed with Sophia tonight," said head coach Mark Walters. "She's done a nice job for us this year at the 4-5 spots, and I can see that she's gaining confidence. This match was a nice steppingstone for Sophia in managing her game and getting though the nerves of playing #1 in front a nice crowd. She was a bit tight at times, but she held together and kept to her game plan enough to get a good result."
 
The rest of the matches were decided in straight sets as Claudia Rodriguez, Sam Hogan, Kushi Khandoji, Haley White and Keana Moon contributed to the sweep. 
 
On the men's side, LMU (2-2 won by a 6-1 margin. The overall match was a good battle, with LMU edging out number #2 and #3 doubles to get the point and the early lead. Charlie Thursfield and Jean Pierre Santamaria got the 6-4 at the two spot, while Jean Paul Santamaria and Mateo Rivera took the three position for the point.
 
EHC Won the #1 spot 7-5 after Harper Mills and Luca Pavan broke back to tie at 5-5. But the EHC duo won consecutive golden points in the subsequent games to seal the match.
 
Mills, Thursfield, Francisco Faggi and both Santamaria brothers contributed singles wins, with Thursfield needing a tie breaker to gain a 7-6 (5), 6-1 win at the #3 line. Rivera fought well but fell at #2 in a super breaker, 9-11 to account for the lone EHC point.
 
"The men's match was certainly closer than the score," said Walters. "We had a doubles point that could have gone their way, and then those singles matches at the top were competitive as well. We have confidence issues to deal with concerning our younger guys, but they are making progress. 
 
Walters also praised Emory & Henry for their toughness though a long day of playing two matches. 
 
"Their team had played earlier in the day, and that was outside in less than ideal conditions, which takes a lot out of a player with the cold. They gave a great effort and rur guys stepped up and made them work for their points. They'll be a nice addition to our conference next fall."
 
Emory & Henry will be joining the South Atlantic conference next year for championship play in all sports.