Box Score HARROGATE, Tenn. – The Lincoln Memorial University women's tennis team took a tough 5-2 decision here from Lee University here Sunday in their first outdoor match of the spring. 
 
LMU jumped on top with the doubles point, then ground out singles wins in four of the six lines to claim the decision. 
 
"The doubles point was a nice boost today, no doubt," said head coach Mark Walters. "Lee plays great doubles, and they really drubbed at their place last year with us only winning one match on the day. The early momentum here helped and carried into the top lines of singles."
 
The Lady Railsplitters (6-1) have now won their last four matches, but this one was not decided until deep into the fifth hour of competition. 
 
After the doubles point went to the 'Splitters, Julia Valls brought LMU's second with a straight set win in the #3 position. Lee's top player Simes got them back on track with a win over Laura Jipescu at #1, saving three set points in the second set. 
 
With the overall match at 2-1 LMU, Lee captured the first sets at #2 over Valentina Ascarrunz, #4 Sophia Aray, and #6 Kushi Khandoji to grab momentum. Amanda Dahlstrom fought back from 2-5 down in the first set to take it 7-5 and then led 3-0 in the second set to get LMU closer.
 
Ascarrunz and Aray battled back to earn their second sets, with Ascarrunz earning the point in her 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 win. Meanwhile, #5 Dahlstrom held on through a back and forth second set to seal the overall win, finishing with a 6-4 margin for the deciding point.
 
Added the fifth point with her 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 victory before Lee took the final match over Khandoji at #6.
 
"Amanda showed some big heart today, especially when she slid and fell in her match towards the end," said Walters. " She got it together after some treatment from our AT Kristan Griffin, and came back out to finish it off for us." 
 
The Lady Railsplitters are back in action this weekend with home matches against Bluefield State on Saturday morning and Bluefield College Sunday.
 
Both matches are scheduled for indoors at the TIC, but may move outdoors if weather permits. For match times and sites, go to www.goRailsplitters.com.