WISE, Va. – On a blustery early fall day in Wise the UVa-Wise women's tennis team was unable to get a home conference win against the University of Charleston, slipping 8-1 to the Golden Eagles.
 
Playing back-to-back days, the Cavaliers (1-3, 0-2 MEC) fought hard in doubles and despite some close matches early, came up short of claiming a doubles match. Singles, however, was a different story as the Cavs picked up a big win at the top spot.
 
The Golden Eagles (1-0, 1-0 MEC), who finished last season ranked fifth in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Atlantic Region, were picked to finish second in the Mountain East Conference preseason poll after finishing second in the MEC tournament a year ago.
 
In doubles the Cavs lost a pair of 8-5 matches that were close in the early going. The duo of sophomore Daria Tyshchenko and junior Bailey Christoforatos were unable to take down Charleston's Toni Katipa and Silvana Slusarciuc at the No. 1 doubles position. Likewise, freshman Mackenzie Lawson and senior Junetta Nuckels came out on the losing end against Elis Edwards and Bridget Dillon of Charleston.
 
Senior Haley Thacker and sophomore Marti Gay fell 8-1 to the Golden Eagles' Taylor Todd and Jackie Bakos at No. 2 doubles.
 
"I thought we had a real good chance in doubles", Head Coach Danny Rowland commented. "I thought we played two really good doubles matches and probably a little bit of experience won out at the end because we were right there at No. 1 and No. 3. That really could have swung the match around a little bit."
 
Tyshchenko highlighted singles play for the Cavs as she pulled the upset at No. 1 singles. The sophomore took on Charleston's Katipa, who finished last season ranked 10th in singles in the ITA Atlantic Region, and jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first set. However, Katipa won six unanswered games to take the first set, 6-4.
 
Tyshchenko battled back in the second set to force a tiebreaker at six games apiece after the two exchanged service holds. Dasha jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the second-set tiebreaker before Katipa made a slight comeback to make it 5-3. Tyshchenko won the final two points and took the second-set tiebreaker 7-3.
 
Since the team match was already decided Tyshchenko and Katipa played a 10-point tiebreaker in lieu of the third set. The two went back and forth as each held the majority of their service points before Tyshchenko edged Katipa to win the tiebreaker and take the match.
 
"Dasha's win was huge and she deserved it", added Head Coach Rowland. "She played so well and despite blowing a huge lead in the first set she kept her composure and came back. She did everything I asked of her on the changeovers."
 
Both Gay and Lawson won four games each in their singles matches as Gay was defeated 6-1, 6-3 at No. 4 singles by the Golden Eagles' Ana Pena. Lawson also loss by an identical score of 6-1, 6-3 to Bakos of Charleston at the No. 5 spot.
 
"We've got a tough week out of the way now so hopefully it gives us a better idea of where we are at", Rowland remarked. "We've got three or four home matches in a row now so hopefully we can build on this and get some wins."
 
Continuing their four-game homestand, the Cavs will now prepare for Wednesdays' non-conference match against Milligan College. The match is scheduled for a 4 p.m. start at the Jim and Betty Humphreys Tennis Complex as the men's team will also be in action for the second match of their fall slate.
 
Full Match Results
University of Charleston 8, UVa-Wise 1
 
Singles
1. Daria Tyshchenko (WISE) def. Toni Katipa (UC) 4-6, 7-6 (7-3), 1-0 (10-8)
2. Elisa Edwards (UC) def. Bailey Christoforatos (WISE) 6-1, 6-1
3. Silvana Slusarciuc (UC) def. Haley Thacker (WISE) 6-2, 6-1
4. Ana Pena (UC) def. Marti Gay (WISE) 6-1, 6-3
5. Jackie Bakos (UC) def. Mackenzie Lawson (WISE) 6-1, 6-3
6. Taylor Todd (UC) def. Junetta Nuckels (WISE) 6-2, 6-1
 
Doubles
1. Toni Katipa/Silvana Slusarciuc (UC) def. Daria Tyshchenko/B. Christoforatos (WISE) 8-5
2. Taylor Todd/Jackie Bakos (UC) def. Haley Thacker/Marti Gay (WISE) 8-1
3. Elisa Edwards/Bridget Dillon (UC) def. Mackenzie Lawson/Junetta Nuckels (WISE) 8-5