SAINT LEO, Fla. - The Saint Leo University women's tennis team battled till the end of a 4-3 loss to the University of Charleston (W.Va.). The match came down to the final court where as four singles matches went three sets. The Lions fall to 3-3.

The Lions clinched the doubles point with a 6-3 win at number two doubles. Sophia Johnson and Nicol Novak earned a 6-2 win at number three doubles. The visitors tied the doubles play with a 6-3 win at number one doubles. Camila Keller and Deren Ozel clinched the doubles point with a 6-3 win at number two doubles.

Keller put the home team up 2-0 with a 7-5 and 6-1 win at number three singles. The teams traded singles wins before the Golden Eagles tied the match at 3-3 with wins at number one and five singles. The match came down to the final court tied after two sets. Freshman Allie Fernandini won the first set 6-4 and battled in both the second and third sets but fell 7-5 in both.    

CHARLESTON (W.Va.) 4, SAINT LEO 3
DOUBLES
1. #9 Sofiia Krasikova/Sara Martinez (UC) def. #2 Candice Bernier/Catherine Rabatin (SLU); 6-3
2. Camila Keller/Deren Ozel (SLU) def. Michelle Connor/Riva Hondiashvili (UC); 6-3
3. Sophia Johnson/Nicol Novak (SLU) def. Viola Hirzberger/Vanessa Mueller (UC); 6-2
ORDER OF FINISH: 3, 1, 2
 
SINGLES
1. #28 Sara Martinez (UC) def. Candice Bernier (SLU); 1-6, 7-5, 6-3
2. Deren Ozel (SLU) def. #39 Sofiia Krasikova (UC); 7-6, 3-6, 6-3
3. Camila Keller (SLU) def. Vanessa Mueller (UC); 7-5, 6-1
4. Michelle Connor (UC) def. Nicol Novak (SLU); 6-1, 6-2
5. Riva Hondiashvili (UC) def. Arianna Bettinelli (SLU); 5-7, 6-3, 6-1
6. Viola Hirzberger (UC) def. Allie Fernandini (SLU); 4-6, 7-5, 7-5
ORDER OF FINISH: 3, 4, 2, 1, 5, 6
 
UP NEXT
Saint Leo is back on the court next weekend hosting D'Youville at 10 a.m. on Sunday, March 8 at the Saint Leo Tennis Center.