Buckhannon, W.Va. – Davis & Elkins came up just short this afternoon, falling 4-3 to Salem University in non-conference women's tennis action. The Senators fell behind after doubles, but then picked up the next two singles wins to fashion a 3-2 lead with two matches remaining. But the Tigers rallied to take the final two matches and claim the win, dropping D&E to 1-4 on the spring season.
 
Erin Lauscher (#2 singles) and Karen Saucedo (#5 Singles) got the Senators on the board after they had dropped the doubles point. Laubscher won her fourth consecutive match in straight sets by a 6-3, 6-1 score.
 
"Erin is showing some tenacity and focus in her matches that has been key to her success," said coach Mark Walters. "She has been so good on the tough, physical points, while making great decisions on the fly. Her defensive skills in retrieving angles is what has really impressed me. She's a fighter."
 
Saucedo turned in a quick 6-0, 6-0 win to give D&E their 3-1 lead. But SU answered with a win at #1 singles where Andreia Semeano fell 3-6,6-1 to bring Salem back to 2-3 down in the team score. Then Liana Ziani followed with a 6-4, 7-6 (3) win at #3 over the Senator's Liebe Oosthuizen to knot things at 3-3 and turn all eyes to court #4 singles where SU's Kylie Diaz and D&E's Eloise Hutton were locked in a back and forth battle.
 
In the clinching match, Hutton continued her gutsy play by splitting sets after dropping her first set to Diaz. Hutton then fell behind 0-5 in the third set, before rattling off two tough games to stage a rally. However, the Tigers got the winning point when Diaz closed out the match with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 victory.
 
"We've been all around it (a team win) the past three matches but have just not been able to close out our three setters," said  Walters. "The effort is good, and the level continues to come up with each match the ladies have played, but individually we just have some young players who need to learn how to manage these situations to get over the hump. I can see improvement with each rep, so as long as we stay positive and recognize where we need to improve, we will be fine."

Up Next:
The Senator women return to the courts this coming Sunday for a for a 1pm matchup with California (PA) which is scheduled for the Wood Street Tennis Center complex in Buckhannon. The Vulcans, members of the DII PSAC conference, beat the Senators in last year's match 6-1.