ERIE, Pa. – The Crimson Hawks took the doubles point with a pair of wins but dropped four of six singles matchups as they were edged by Mercyhurst 4-3 Wednesday afternoon at Westwood Racquet Club.
The loss was the third straight for IUP and its first in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division action. The Crimson Hawks are now 6-8 overall and in a three-way tied for second in the division at 2-1.
Mercyhurst improved to 10-6 overall and is part of that three-way divisional tie at 2-1.
The match was moved inside from Mercyhurst's outdoor tennis courts due to cold weather.
Laura Dunarova and
Maria Magraner recorded IUP's first win with a 6-2 victory at No. 3 doubles. After a Mercyhurst win at the top spot, IUP's No. 2 team of
Julia Newman and
Mariana Valenzuela posted a 6-2 victory to give the Crimson Hawks the doubles point.
Katya Minchenkova gave IUP a 2-0 lead in the match with a No. 1 singles win of 6-4, 6-3 over the Lakers' Kayla Frost.
Mercyhurst rallied for singles wins at the two and three spots to tie the match before Magraner gave IUP a 3-2 advantage with a 5-7, 6-4, 6-1 win at No. 6.
The Lakers then used comeback three-set wins at both the four and five spots to complete the rally and get the divisional win.
Up next
The Crimson Hawks head east this weekend for three non-league matches in Pennsylvania and Delaware. IUP is scheduled to play Goldey-Beacom, Concordia (NY) and West Chester.
Follow
For up-to-date game information, visit IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP women's tennis on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUPtennis.
