LATROBE, Pa. – The Washington & Jefferson women's tennis team found themselves in a close-knit bout with Saint Vincent in their Presidents' Athletic Conference opener. The Presidents dropped a close, 4-3, decision to the Bearcats.
 
W&J opened the match strong winning the sole doubles team point. Doubles partners Nidhi Pulichera (Chandler, Ariz./Hamilton) and Claire Loomis (Pittsburgh, Pa./Upper St. Clair) snagged a No. 1 doubles win, 6-4. After dropping No. 2 doubles, the Presidents bounced back with a 6-4 victory at No. doubles, courtesy of Emma Humphrey (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills) and Jaelyn Kennedy (Pottstown, Pa./Pottsgrove) who shut the door on the Bearcats for the first team points of the match.
 
The Presidents faltered in the singles matchups, losing four of their six total matches. The two bright spots for W&J was Claire Loomis who logged a No. 3 singles win for the team 6-3, 6-0. Freshman Paisely Cole (Smyrna, Del./Smyrna High School) also registered a crucial win, taking her bout to a superbreaker. Cole's win kept a W&J in play after taking a 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 decision. Kennedy took a tight loss at No. 2 singles in a third-set bout, falling 2-6, 7-5, 4-6.
 
W&J will have a quick turnaround as they look to host Franciscan in more PAC play this Tuesday (Sept. 17). First serve is set for 4:00 p.m.