North Manchester, Ind. – The Transylvania women's tennis team was narrowly edged by the Manchester University Spartans, 5-4 on Saturday morning in a Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference road meeting.

The Pioneers split singles action with the Spartans right down the middle, but the Spartans were able to take two of three matches in opening doubles play to secure the tight victory. A decisive win was seized by the Spartans in No. 2 doubles as the duo of Katie Peden and Katy Ashpole squeaked out a 9-7 win against Transylvania junior Kearstin Bruther and sophomore Lucy Herrington.

Victories came in singles play for the Pioneers in the No. 3, No. 4, and No. 5 matches. Pioneers senior Lilian Williams grabbed a sizable 6-1, 6-0 win over Katie Peden. In No. 4 singles, Herrington also won convincingly against Karly Eichenauer, carrying a 6-2, 6-1 result.

Bruther prevailed in No. 5 singles play against Avis McGovern, winning 6-3, 6-0 in straight sets.

The lone victory in doubles came courtesy of sophomore Merrick Irwin and freshman Anna Burch, who capped off an 8-4 win against Eichenauer and McGovern.

The contest at Manchester wraps up Transylvania's regular-season schedule. The Pioneers will compete in next week's HCAC women's tennis tournament in Indianapolis. Transylvania will be the No. 5 seed for the match, and will play Manchester again in the opening round meet on Friday, October 20. The start time for that match is to be determined.

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