WISE, Va. – On Wednesday evening the UVa-Wise women's tennis team fell just short against Milligan College of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Appalachian Athletic Conference in a 5-4 defeat.
 
The Cavaliers (1-4, 0-2 MEC) came up just short against the visiting Buffaloes after strong singles play. UVa-Wise had to dig out of a 3-0 deficit after being swept in doubles but was able to claim four out of the six singles matches.
 
The No. 1 doubles duo of sophomore Daria Tyshchenko and junior Bailey Christoforatos jumped out to a 7-4 lead at the top spot against Milligan's Rachel Hodas and Caroline Morelli but were not able to seal the deal, falling 7-2 in a tiebreaker.
 
At No. 2 doubles the pair of sophomore Marti Gay and freshman Mackenzie Lawson gained four games on Kate Booker and Martha Wells of Milligan before taking an 8-4 loss. Freshman Montana Hill and sophomore Serena Burgess were shutout by the Buffaloes' Abigail Allen and Lexie Hill at the third doubles spot.
 
In singles play the Cavs made the match very competitive as Lawson took down Allen of Milligan, 6-0, 7-5, at No. 5 singles. Next it was senior Haley Thacker who claimed a 6-4, 6-4 victory over the Buffaloes' Wells.
 
Tyshchenko continued her fine play as of late and evened up the match at three all with a 1-6, 6-3, (10-6) win against Milligan's Hodas.
 
Milligan took the next two singles matches to claim the team victory over UVa-Wise as Gay was edged by the Buffaloes' Booker, 6-4, 1-6, (10-2), at No. 4 singles and Morelli of Milligan defeated Christoforatos at the second spot, 6-3, 6-1.
 
Nuckels ended the contest with one more match win for the Cavs in the most dominant singles victory of the day, claiming a 6-3, 6-0 win over Milligan's Brenna Ketron at the No. 6 position.
 
"We played really well in singles", Head Coach Danny Rowland commented about the match. "It just came down to the very end and we came up a bit short. It was a good match and we played them very tough; they are a very good team. We're getting better and hopefully going into this conference weekend we'll be ready to go and get a couple wins."
 
The Cavs will now prepare for Mountain East Conference play this Saturday and finish out their four-game homestand this weekend.
 
UVa-Wise plays host to Shepherd University Saturday at 12 p.m. before facing off against Fairmont State Sunday in Wise with a 9 a.m. start.

Full Match Results
Milligan College 5, UVa-Wise 4
 
Singles
1. Daria Tyshchenko (WISE) def. Rachel Hodas (MC) 1-6, 6-3, 1-0 (10-6)
2. Caroline Morelli (MC) def. Bailey Christoforatos (WISE) 6-3, 6-1
3. Haley Thacker (WISE) def. Martha Wells (MC) 6-4, 6-4
4. Kate Booker (MC) def. Marti Gay (WISE) 6-4, 1-6, 1-0 (10-2)
5. Mackenzie Lawson (WISE) def. Abigail Allen (MC) 6-0, 7-5
6. Junetta Nuckels (WISE) def. Brenna Ketron (MC) 6-3, 6-0
 
Doubles
1. Rachel Hodas/Caroline Morelli (MC) def. Daria Tyshchenko/B. Christoforatos (WISE) 9-8 (7-2)
2. Kate Booker/Martha Wells (MC) def. Marti Gay/Mackenzie Lawson (WISE) 8-4
3. Abigail Allen/Lexie Hill (MC) def. Montana Hill/Serena Burgess (WISE) 8-0