Indianapolis – Appearing in its first Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference tournament under new head coach Kevin Calhoun, the Transylvania women's tennis team bowed out of the tournament with a 5-0 quarterfinal match loss to the Franklin College Grizzlies on Friday evening.

Playing at the West Indy Racquet Club as the No. 6 seed, the Pioneers entered the match against No. 3 seed Franklin aiming to beat the Grizzlies for the second time this year after winning 7-2 back on September 18.

But the Grizzlies arrived to the rematch a different squad, and took control of the match early by sweeping doubles action. In No. 1 doubles, Madison Miles and Lilian Williams fell to Karen Dringenburg and Rachel Rose, 8-0. Action was closely fought in No. 2 doubles but Emily Helvie and Megan Battles staved off Mary Grace Amato and Lucy Herrington, 8-5.

No. 3 doubles offered a chance for the Pioneers to take one back, but Kearstin Bruther and Myriah Porter suffered a 9-7 defeat as Jessica Baker and Alex Schofner slipped by the two Pioneers veterans.

With a 3-0 lead secured after doubles play, Franklin quickly sealed up two more wins as Williams fell to Dringenburg, 6-1, 6-0 in No. 1 singles, and Herrington fell in No. 3 singles, 6-4, 6-3 to conclude the Pioneers' run at the HCAC Tournament.

While the HCAC portion of the 2016-17 season draws to a close for the Pioneers, the women's team will pick up action in March 2017 to continue their season trek.

For more on Transylvania women's tennis, follow their official twitter @TransyTennis