LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Bellarmine University women's tennis team registered a crucial win Saturday at the Eddie Weber Tennis Complex as the Knights triumphed 6-3 over Saginaw Valley State.

Saginaw Valley State (11-10) is ranked eighth in the Midwest Region while Bellarmine (14-1) is ranked ninth. Over half of the singles matches between the Knights and Cardinals extended to three sets.

Freshman Ava Ratcliff (No. 5 singles/No. 2 doubles) and senior Mairin Cotter (No. 6 singles/No. 3 doubles) secured two victories apiece for Bellarmine, which has won four straight matches. Junior Maggie Walroth (No. 2 singles), senior Marissa Kovach (No. 4 singles), sophomore Jennifer Skonieczny (No. 2 doubles) and senior Bess Fley (No. 3 doubles) notched one victory apiece.

Bellarmine gained a 2-1 lead after doubles play as Skonieczny/Ratcliff and Cotter/Fley both delivered commanding wins at Nos. 2 and 3 doubles. Walroth bumped the lead to 3-1 with a convincing victory at No. 2 singles, but Saginaw Valley State knotted the match at 3 after taking three-set affairs at Nos. 1 and 3.

Kovach eased the Knights ahead 4-3 by winning a three-set match at No. 4, and Ratcliff clinched the contest after dropping the first set and rallying to win the next two frames at No. 5. Cotter dropped a single game in dominating at No. 6.

"It was an unbelievable match with so many of the singles matches going to three sets," Knights Coach John Mican said. "It was great tennis by both squads. Saginaw Valley is ranked in the region, so this is a huge win for us."

Bellarmine will host Missouri-St. Louis at 2 p.m. (ET) Sunday.

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