GRANVILLE, Ohio -- The 29th-ranked Big Red kicked off North Coast Athletic Conference West Division action with a 9-0 win over Ohio Wesleyan on Wednesday at the Mitchell Fieldhouse.

Denison grabbed a commanding 3-0 match lead after sweeping doubles play. Sophomores Lauren Hawley and Emma Alsup opened the scoring with a dominating 8-0 win at the top doubles flight. Olivia Underwood and Charlotte Purnode kept things rolling with an 8-2 decision at third doubles. The sweep was completed when Megan Hickey and Ashley Hammons doubled up Lauren Corcoran and Brooke Butterworth at No. 2 doubles, 8-4.

In singles play, the Big Red won five of the sixth flights in straight sets. Hawley, who is ranked fourth in the central region, knocked off the region's 11th-ranked player, Corcoran, via 6-3, 6-2 scores. Alsup followed with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Casey O'Toole, while Hickey was a 6-3, 6-0 win over Butterworth at third singles. Hammons posted the only three-set win at No. 4 singles, defeating Meryl Reams 7-5, 4-6, 10-4. Purnode picked up her second win of the day with a 6-0, 6-1 decision over Diamond Person at fifth singles, while Carol Vitellas pitched a shutout at the sixth flight (6-0, 6-0) against Amber Sample.

Denison improves to 3-6 over and 1-0 in the NCAC West, while the Bishops fall to 8-4 and 0-1 in divisional play. The Big Red will be back in action next Wednesday (March 29) when they travel to Wooster, Ohio to take on the Fighting Scots. Match time is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.