LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Bellarmine women's tennis nearly won its first ASUN match Friday afternoon, but Lipscomb squeaked out a 4-3 win at the Eddie Weber Tennis Complex.

Despite securing the doubles point and singles victories from Ekaterina Tikhonko and Ashley Jonathan, the Knights (1-16, 0-3 ASUN) came up just short against the Bisons (6-8, 2-1 ASUN).

Bellarmine built an early lead with excellent doubles play from its no. 2 and no. 3 teams.  Tikhonko and Channing Varnum cruised to a 6-2 victory in the no. 2 match, while Rose Pastoret and Maja Kozerski handled their business in the no. 3 slot, bringing home a 6-4 win to lock up the doubles point.

In singles, Tikhonko picked up her first career ASUN win, topping Sasha Dobranos 7-6, 6-3.  Jonathan also won her first career ASUN match, besting Liza Diachenko in no. 4 singles.  Madison Devillez also fought valiantly in no. 3 singles, falling 6-2, 7-6 to Emma Zakordoniec.

Other Lipscomb wins from Kate Popova, Maddox Bandy, and Eleanor Chapman in no. 2, no. 5, and no. 6 singles respectively proved to be too much in the end.
"The team really fought hard today," Knights Head Coach Brian Slack said.  "I'm proud of this group – they lost this match 7-0 last year and stayed ahead today until Lipscomb played well at the end.  Hats off to their team and coaching staff because they stayed the course and pulled it out.  I think the team realized today that we can compete.  That's promising going into this stretch of conference matches."
 
Bellarmine has a chance to bounce back on Sunday against Jacksonville State.  The Knights host the Gamecocks at 10:30 a.m. inside the Eddie Weber Tennis Complex.

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