SWEET BRIAR, Va. — Tuesday afternoons tennis battle between Lynchburg and Sweet Briar went the distance, but it was Lynchburg who came out on top as the Hornets topped the Vixens 5-4 at the Dennis Van Der Meer Tennis Center.

The Vixens (8-5, 4-2 ODAC) fell behind early when the Hornets (8-1, 5-0 ODAC) took a 2-1 lead following doubles play. The Vixens fought from behind in all three doubles matches but were only able to break through at No. 1, where sophomores Ruth de Souza (Marilia, Brazil) and Allison Wandling (Mechanicsville, Va.) won 8-7 (7-4) against Christina Harris and Caroline Guill.

Singles play saw the Vixens in need of four victories, and it appeared that was a realistic ask as Sweet Briar picked up opening set victories at the top four singles spots.

Wandling was the first Vixen to clinch victory when she topped Elizabeth Teefey 6-0, 6-2 at No. 2, pulling the team score even at 2-2.

The Hornets regained the advantage with a win at No. 5 before the score turned to an even 3-3 when sophomore Kate Kotany (Erd, Hungary) secured a 6-4, 6-3 win over Alissa Anderson at No. 3.

Following a Lynchburg win at No. 6 singles, Sweet Briar caught a glimmer of hope when first-year Isabela Guilarte (Barquisimeto, Venezuela) won 6-2, 5-7, 6-0 at No. 4 against Lauren Pascadio, but Harris clinched at No. 1 allowing the Hornets to escape with the 5-4 road victory.

Sweet Briar continues the spring 2021 campaign on Wednesday, April 7, with a non-conference road trip to Bluefield.