HICKORY, N.C.– In a matchup of nationally ranked programs, the No. 44 Lenoir-Rhyne Women's Tennis Team dropped a hard-fought 5-2 decision at home against No. 37 Tusculum. The result is LR's first loss at home on the season. 

GAME VITALS
Final: Tusculum 5, Lenoir-Rhyne 2
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (13-3, 4-2 SAC) | Tusculum (10-2, 6-0 SAC)

COACHES TAKE
 
"Today's match shows the progress we are making as a team," said Head Coach Tom Rees. "We haven't come close to competing with Tusculum in previous years and we stood toe-to-toe with them today. We made them earn the win and credit to them for that. I am proud of our ladies."
HOW IT HAPPENED

The visiting Pioneers grabbed the doubles point, thanks to wins in the first and second lines. Tusculum took 6-4 and 6-2 victories to clinch doubles but the number three duo of Marta Escanero and Lucy Whelan earned a 6-4 victory. 

The Bears battled in singles action but couldn't hand the Pioneers their first conference loss of the season. Ally Garofoli earned a straight set victory (6-2, 6-2) in fifth singles to draw the match even at 1. However, Tusculum would clinch the match with wins in first, second and third singles. Diana Babinets didn't give in as she earned an impressive 6-3, 2-6, 10-4 win in fourth singles but it wasn't enough as the Bears dropped their second SAC match of the season. 

UP NEXT

The Bears return to action tomorrow as they travel to Johnson C. Smith for a 9 am matchup.