Women's Tennis | 10/13/2016 10:51:00 PM

WASHINGTON, Pa. -- Washington & Jefferson earned a 5-4 decision over Grove City in Presidents' Athletic Conference action as W&J defeated the Wolverines for the first time in program history.

The victory snaps a 39-match losing streak to the perennial conference champions. It also improved W&J to 9-3 on the season and concludes PAC play at 7-1.

After the Presidents trailed 2-1 following doubles play, Megan Berard (Yardley, Pa./Pennsbury) earned the match-sealing fifth point with a 7-6, 6-4 win at fifth singles. Moments before that Kathryn Chase (New Wilmington, Pa./Wilmington Area) earned her second win of the day, a 7-6, 6-2 victory at sixth singles. Her doubles partner, Polina Dergacova (Riga, Latvia), posted a 6-4, 6-0 win at second singles, while the tandem earned an 8-2 triumph at second doubles.

The Presidents will have one final tune-up before the PAC Tournament (Oct. 21-22) when they travel to Penn State Behrend for a 3:30 p.m. match on Tuesday, Oct. 18.

Singles competition
1. Maggie Manchester (GRO) def. Rachel Johnson (WJC) 6-3, 5-7, 10-7
2. Polina Dergacova (WJC) def. Janine Jones (GRO) 6-4, 6-0
3. Grace McCarthy (WJC) def. Taylor Bradley (GRO) 6-4, 6-2
4. Linnea Peters (GRO) def. Brianna Morrison (WJC) 1-6, 6-0, 10-5
5. Megan Berard (WJC) def. Jennifer Elder (GRO) 7-6, 6-4
6. Kathryn Chase (WJC) def. Rachel Ford (GRO) 7-6, 6-2

Doubles competition
1. Maggie Manchester/Taylor Bradley (GRO) def. Rachel Johnson/Grace McCarthy (WJC) 9-7
2. Polina Dergacova/Kathryn Chase (WJC) def. Linnea Peters/Janine Jones (GRO) 8-2
3. Jennifer Elder/Melissa Karidis (GRO) def. Brianna Morrison/Megan Berard (WJC) 8-2