WASHINGTON, Pa. (Oct. 3) - A valiant comeback effort by the Saint Vincent women's tennis team fell just short, as the Bearcats were defeated, 5-4, in a marathon match under the lights at Washington & Jefferson College.

The loss drops the Bearcats to 6-3 overall and 3-3 in Presidents' Athletic Conference play on the season, while the Presidents move to 4-2 overall and 3-2 in PAC action.

W&J started the evening by taking all three doubles matches, with the Bearcats' best showing coming from the No. 2 duo of Emily Pierce and Carolina Walters, who dropped an 8-6 decision.

Junior Abby Donnelly secured SVC's first victory of the night, earning a 6-2, 6-2 decision at No. 6, moments before junior Lydia Lieb's 6-0, 6-3 win at No. 3 singles trimmed the gap to 4-2.

At No. 5 singles, sophomore Marisa Hooper earned a tightly-contested 7-5, 6-4 win to pull the Bearcats to within 4-3, and Walters followed with a hard-fought 6-4, 4-6, 6-1 win in the No. 1 spot to tie the match at 4-all.

As was the case throughout singles play, the No. 3 match was another battle, but SVC was unable to complete the comeback, with Pierce falling in three sets.

"I am so proud of my team tonight," said Saint Vincent head coach Brien Niemiec. "They did everything I asked of them. They battled to the end, and they played with class. It was a great match. I can't say enough about them."

The Bearcats will now have a quick turnaround, as they will travel north to take on PAC-leading Allegheny College on Thursday, Oct. 5, beginning at 4:30 p.m.