ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. -- The Covenant women's tennis team fended off a pesky Maryville squad and claimed a 6-3 win in the first round of the USA South Tournament on Friday morning in Rocky Mount.

Covenant (16-7) advances to the semifinal round on Saturday and will face second-seed Meredith at 10 a.m. Earlier this season, Meredith edged the Lady Scots 5-4 in Raleigh.

Molly Peele clinched the match for the Lady Scots with her 6-2, 6-0 victory over Maryville's Katie Stephens at No. 6 singles. Peele was one of four Covenant players to earn a victory in both singles and doubles play on the day.

Claire Luger teamed with Gracie Smith at the No. 1 doubles position for an 8-4 win, while Peele and Ellen Kirkpatrick took an 8-6 at the No. 3 spot. Covenant had a 2-1 edge after the doubles competition.

In singles play, Luger won 6-2, 7-5 at No. 1 over Kelly Stephens and Smith posted a 6-0, 6-2 win at No. 3, her 16th singles victory of the season. Kirkpatrick rounded out the Covenant winners with a 6-2, 7-5 victory at No. 5 singles.