JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – The Carson-Newman (7-5) women's tennis team dropped a 5-4 heartbreaker in favor of the University of Alabama-Huntsville (7-4) at the Carson-Newman Tennis Complex earlier this afternoon.

"This," Carson-Newman head tennis coach Jean Love said, "was a heartbreaking loss."

Jennifer Ott (Knoxville, Tenn.) and Patricia Guerreiro (Portugal) advanced to a five match win streak as a team with an 8-2 decision over Aude Rappaz/Lina Carvajal at no. 3 doubles.

"We started slow losing two of the three doubles matches," Coach Love said. Patricia and Jen scored our only doubles point."

The team of Stefy Stand (Ecuador) and Breanne Tremblay (Canada) fought hard at no. 1 doubles but were ultimately overpowered by Katie Bryant and Jessica Groupierre. The match resulted 8-5.

"We competed well in singles today," Coach Love said. "Breanne finished first with a win at no. 3 making the overall team match even." Tremblay defeated Aniek Remmerswaal 6-3, 7-5.

"From there," Coach Love said, "Patricia lost at no. 1, and then Stefy dropped a three-setter." Stand relinquished a 6-1, 4-6, 6-2 match to Groupierre at no. 2 singles.

"There were three matches remaining, and we needed to win all three," Coach Love said. "We won two of them."

Brooke Sanderson (Evans, Ga.) took down Maria Lawton at no. 4 singles with a score of 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 for the Eagles' third point. "Brooke battled and won a three set match," Coach Love said, "while Katie Brown won in straight sets."

Katie Brown (Douglasville, Ga.) dominated Rappaz at no. 5 singles 6-2, 6-4. Brown is now on a seven match winning streak.

"It all came down to no. 6 singles," Coach Love said, "but Jen lost in three tough sets." Ott suffered a 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 contest in Carvajal's favor.

"What a good effort by the women," Coach Love said. "This type of battle will help us down the road in other close matches."

The Lady Eagles resume conference play against Coker Friday, March 14 at 2 p.m. at the Carson-Newman Tennis Complex.