GREENSBURG, Pa. - Two close three-set matches were the deciding factor for the Franciscan women's tennis as the team ultimately lost 5-4 to Pitt.-Greensburg.

The Lady Barons continued to struggle in doubles play, digging themselves an early hole after losing two of those three matches.

"We didn't play well," head coach Jeremy Ellis said. "A lot of it goes back to our doubles play, we were down again. We've got to change that around. It will take some of the stress off of the singles."

The only doubles win came on court no. 1 with freshman Maria Binette and junior Claire Haddad winning 8-4 over a strong Bobcat team.

In singles play, freshman Julia Razook and sophomore Anna O'Connor each won their matches at no. 3 and no. 6, winning 6-4, 6-2 and 6-0, 6-1 respectively.

Despite struggling in doubles and in the first set of her singles match, senior Renata Crespo was able to pull it together for a 1-6, 6-2, 6-4 win. The seniors win at no. 2 singles tied the match up at 4-4.

Haddad was the last on the court at no. 4 singles and ended up losing a close third set 6-4 to decide the match.

Ellis said that this weekend has been a good learning experience for the team with three consecutive conference matches, all on the road.

"I think we're still working on what's going to work for this team," Ellis said. "All the changes of coaching staff and adding players and trying to figure out who needs to go in what direction, it's tough. I think it's a learning year definitely for us, but with the talent we have, I fully see that turning around."

The Lady Barons will have a day off before hitting the road again, this time traveling to nonconference opponent Grove City College on September 22 at 3:30 pm.

"It will be nice to play outside of conference so the girls can relax," Ellis said. "Having three straight conference matches has been tough."