The N.C . State women’s tennis team came out on top in its first two match ups of the spring season as it beat Davidson, 5-0, and No. 67 Winthrop, 6-1.

State, who started the day ranked No. 34 in the nation and had the No. 40 singles player in the nation with sophomore Joelle Kissell , didn’t break a sweat as they went on to win 12 of the 14 matches during the day.

Earlier in the day, freshman Nicole Martinez and junior Chloe Smith teamed up to win their doubles encounter after which Kissell , junior Tatiana Illova , senior Ashley Miller and freshman Elisha Hande won their respective singles matches in convincing fashion with Miller finishing first followed by Illova , Kissell and Hande in the order of finish.

In the second matchup of the day, which featured three doubles matches and six singles matches, State finished unscathed apart from a loss apiece in the doubles for Illova and Hande and in the singles for Smith.

Miller, who only dropped two games combined in both her singles matches, said she her enjoyment contributed to her success on the court.

“I thought I played really well,” Miller said. “I had fun, which was the most important part. Because I had fun, I guess that’s why I played so well.”

Miller, who is also the team captain, felt her performance got better over the course of the day.

“I was less nervous going into my second match,” Miller said. “I felt like my serve was getting better.”

Illova won her first singles match 6-1, 6-1 and her second match 6-2, 6-2, but suffered a 4-8 defeat in the doubles. Despite the loss, she was content with her performance.

“I am pretty happy about my last match,” Illova said. ”It was great, I played really well. I played her before and lost, so I am really happy I won this time.”

Head coach Hans Olsen felt that, despite a tentative beginning, he was happy with the way his team performed.

“In the morning, lot of the players were a little nervous, which is normal,” Olsen said. “I think they did a good job of starting the season and they were much more focused tonight with a good opponent.

“They really came out with a lot of energy and really executed, competed really well with a lot of heart and hustle all over the courts. It was a good match.”

Olsen was particularly impressed with Miller’s performance.

“Ashley [Miller] was great tonight, in double and singles,” Olsen said. “I thought she was very sharp and a great competitor. She really executed well, played with a lot of energy and pump on the court.

“I was completely impressed with her today.”

Despite his team dropping just two matches during the day, Olsen paid due respect to his opponents and felt his team could have done better to avoid the losses.

“I think Winthrop’s a good team and I give them credit,” Olsen said. “I thought their doubles team played well.

“I thought Tatti-Elisha [Tatiana Illova and Elisha Hande ] came out a little bit tentative and it took them 4-5 games to play more aggressive. They just needed to start with a little more energy.”

N.C . State travels to Tennessee on Friday to play Tulsa. Olsen felt it would be a great experience and he was looking forward to it.

“It’s great to play matches,” Olsen said. “I think we are looking forward to a good week of preparation, some good intensity and really sharpening up some things on the doubles court.

“There’s a lot to build off of today. I am looking forward to it.”