The 13th-ranked Gustavus women’s tennis team saw its losing streak continue after suffering a hard-fought 7-2 loss to sixth-ranked University of Mary Washington on Tuesday afternoon in Fredericksburg, Va. The Eagles outlasted the Gusties in singles play as four of the six singles matches went three sets. Gustavus, which dropped to 10-5 overall, will play in the Fab Five Tournament hosted by defending NCAA Champion Washington and Lee. Mary Washington improved to 11-2 overall.
Mary Washington jumped out to a 3-0 lead after capturing all three doubles points. Sam Frank and Ali O’Neal played the closest doubles match at the #2 doubles position. Frank and O’Neal lost a tight 9-8 match to Megan Lawlor and Kate Malpeli. Jenni White and Sierra Krebsbach also dropped a close match at #1 doubles in an 8-6 decision against Natalia Fugate and Becky Morse-Karzen. Erica Dobson and Laura Arnebeck lost 8-2 in #3 doubles.
The Golden Gusties and the Eagles were evenly matched throughout singles play as four of the six singles matches went to three sets. Sierra Krebsbach picked up a 7-5, 6-2 straight set victory over Stephanie Kurti at #2 singles. Erica Dobson played in the only other straight set match at #5 singles in a 6-1, 6-3 loss to Kate Malpeli. Ali O’Neal earned a point for Gustavus in a 6-1, 0-6, 6-2 decision over Courtney Goimarac in the #3 singles position. Jenni White, Sam Frank, and Jenny Arnfelt each lost in three-set heartbreakers.
Gustavus begins the Fab Five Tournament in Lexington, Va. against top-ranked Washington and Lee on Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET.