Fredericksburg, Va. - The women's tennis team of North Carolina Wesleyan kicked off its spring season on Saturday against a pair of highly-touted opponents at the University of Mary Washington Invitational. The Bishops opened with a 9-0 loss to Division I George Mason University, then dropped a 7-2 decision to the 22nd-ranked Eagles later in the day.

Newcomers Valeria Berber and Sofia Gonzalez picked up NCWC's lone two points against nationally-ranked UMW with a pair of straight-set wins at the #4 and #5 seeds, respectively. The match also proved to be closer than the final score might indicate. Gonzalez and fellow freshman Rachel Hui narrowly missed a win at #2 doubles in an 8-5 affair, while freshman Sofia Prado dropped an 11-9 third set tiebreak at #6 singles.

Versus Division I GMU, the Bishops managed to take 11 games in doubles play, falling by 8-4, 8-2 and 8-5 scores. Gonzalez proceeded to force a third set tiebreak at #4 singles but came up just short at 10-7.

NCWC (0-2) opens up USA South play on March 8th at Averett University.