ROCK HILL, S.C. – The Lenoir-Rhyne Women's Tennis Team rallied late but fell just short against No. 1 seed and No. 17 nationally-ranked Tusculum on Wednesday afternoon in the South Atlantic Conference Tournament Semifinal. 

GAME VITALS
Final: #17 Tusculum 4, #38 Lenoir-Rhyne 2
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (18-5) | Tusculum (17-2)

COACHES TAKE
 
"Incredible effort from our ladies today and throughout the season," said Head Coach Tom Rees. "The ladies could not have given any more today and we were realistically 1 of 2 points away from playing for a championship. The past three years have been an unbelievable journey. Thank you seniors and thank you to everyone who has supported the program. We wouldn't be where we are without you."

HOW IT HAPPENED

Sanne Janssen and Lucy Whelan earned a 6-2 win in third doubles but Tusculum would grab wins in the first and second spots to earn the point and take the early advantage. 

After grabbing wins in second and third singles, Tusculum was on the brink of clinching but the Bears didn't give in. Instead, they battled back led by a 6-2, 7-6 victory by Ally Garofoli in fifth singles that put LR on the board. Following that win, Marta Escanero concluded her career with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 win in fourth singles that pulled LR within one of the top team in the league. However, the Pioneers closed out the match with a 2-6, 6-3, 6-7 tiebreaking win in first singles to advance to the championship. 

UP NEXT

The Bears will take the momentum of a record-breaking 2018-19 season into next year looking to build off the success.