The Elon University women’s tennis team allowed three unanswered points to lose 4-3 to close its match against the College of Charleston.

“I think we can learn from this and maybe be more disciplined on the court and a little smarter with our strategies,” head coach Elizabeth Anderson said.

 

The order of the match was slightly altered as the two teams began with singles play forgoing the doubles portion. Elon took an early lead by winning its first match. Freshman Olivia Lucas defeated junior Brooke McAmis in straight sets 6-4, 6-0.

But the College of Charleston got on the board with a win at No. 5 singles after Elon junior Taylor Casey lost 6-2, 6-4 to senior Jenny Falcone.

Freshman Kirsten Ward answered right back within minutes to put Elon back ahead. Ward struggled mightily in the first set but fought back to take the next two sets to win 1-6, 6-0, 6-3 over Samantha Maddox at No. 1 singles.

Senior Barbora Lazarova put Elon ahead 3-1 with a win at No. 3 singles. Lazarova, who was battling an illness the past few days, edged sophomore Mara Argyriou in straight sets 6-4, 6-4.

“I literally gave it all out there,” Lazarova said. “It could have gone either way.”

The Cougars refused to go away. They cut the deficit back to one with a victory at No. 6 singles. Senior Grace Baker earned the victory in straight sets over freshman Kamilla Beisenova 6-2, 7-6 (7-5).

Freshman Erica Braschi came close to finishing things off for the Phoenix at No. 4 singles but couldn’t quite put the match away. Katherine Schofield defeated Braschi in a close third set tiebreaker 6-1, 4-6, 7-6 (7-6) to force doubles to determine the winner.

The Cougars struck first with a win an 8-6 win at No. 2 doubles and grabbed another victory just minutes later at No. 1 doubles to seal the match.

Braschi and Taylor continued their strong play at No. 3 doubles with another win but it had no effect on the final outcome.

With the loss, Elon drops to 13-7 on the season.

This was Elon’s third matchup with against a Colonial Athletic Association team. Elon previously beat James Madison University and the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

The Phoenix will close out its regular season tomorrow at noon for Senior Day. Elon’s two seniors, Maria Camara Ruiz and Barbora Lazarova, will be honored before the match against North Carolina Central University.

“I’m going to be super sad, but I had a great four years,” Lazaorva said. “It’s bitter sweet.”