Box Score HARROGATE, Tenn. – The Lincoln Memorial University women's tennis team suffered their first loss in 11 matches, falling 4-3 to the University of Illinois-Springfield on Sunday afternoon. The Stars took the doubles point with a surge at #3 doubles, and then knocked out tight wins at #1, #4 and #6 singles to claim victory. LMU drops to 12-2 overall on the year, with both of their losses coming by a 3-4 score.
 
Doubles played a factor, as LMU won at #2 with Valentina Ascarrunz and Julia Valls edging out a 6-4 victory. After number UIS took the #1 doubles, it came down to the #3 spot where the Stars prevailed 6-4 over Sam Hogan and Kushi Khandoji. After a 3-0 start, LMU failed to hold serve again until the eighth game and UIS surged back to take the match, and the point.  
 
"We played well in spots, but UIS wanted it a bit more in some moments and were able to out-tough us," said head coach Mark Walters.  "We have been the benefactors of getting some breaks and good matchups to pull out close wins, but today we could not quite find that last point. We had a good start at #3 doubles, but we missed an easy put-a-way to go up 4-1, and instead it was 3-2 and gave them life. That's tennis though, and they took advantage if that on us. "
 
After losing the doubles point, LMU jumped back on top with quick wins at #2 and #3 by Ascarrunz and Valls, who lost just three games between them. The 'Splitters Laura Jipescu led 4-3 in both of her sets, but was unable to close her opponent out and fell 6-4, 6-4 to even the dual at two points apiece. 
 
Khandoji, playing up two spots at #5, won a tense 6-3 7-5 match to bring LMU to the brink, but they were unable to get the final point in straight-set losses at #4 and #6. 
 
"We got a good effort from Kushi today which is consistent with her game all year on these indoor courts,' said Walters. "She's very coachable and is finding the team element to be a source of energy for her game." 
 
While disappointed in the result, Walters didn't feel that the loss was necessarily a bad thing for his young team heading into Wednesday's conference showdown with #31 ranked Lenoir Rhyne at home.
 
"We have been playing a bit tight the past couple matches with the idea of hitting balls not to lose rather than playing the opponent straight-up," said Walters. "Now we can get back to the business of playing it match by match and give everyone a reset. We are going to see a lot of good teams in the next four weeks, and this is just a reminder that on any day that you can be on the short end things against good players."