ROME, GA. – Kendall Smith and Lara Afolayanka, the freshmen doubles pair for the Wesleyan women's tennis team, got their first taste of national competition over the weekend as they competed in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Cup at Berry College after the duo was named finalists in the ITA Regional tournament in September.

After two losses to open to the women's open doubles portion of the tournament, Smith and Afolayanka rocked through the first victory in the South Draw semifinal. Facing RPI's Nicole Ridenour and Anushka Jaiswal, Smith and Afolayanka turned out a first set victory but were forced to play for a third after RPI tied up the match. The Cardinals closed out with a 6-4, 4-6, 10-6 final score. The South Draw finals were not scheduled.

In the opening round of the East Draw, the Cardinals fell in two-set action to Lia Melvin and Jay Ziao of John's Hopkins in a 2-6, 4-6 final. Moving to the West Draw quarterfinal, Washington University's Eleanor Archer and Caitlin Bui earned another win over the Cardinals as they went 7-6 (8-6), 6-4.

The Cardinals will close out the fall portion of the season on Sunday, Oct. 26, when they compete at the Quinnipiac Mixed Tournament.