GROVE CITY, Pa. - The Franciscan women's tennis lost a tough non-conference matchup against Grove City College 7-2 on Wednesday, in their last match before NCAA competition in May.

The women took the courts for singles just after 3:30 p.m., and had their work cut out for them from the start. Things started well for freshman No. 1 doubles duo Madelyn Conrad and Grace Hammel. The Lady Barons closed well at the net, and created opportunities with opportune groundstrokes. Behind Hammel's serves punctuated by smart poaching at the net from Conrad, Franciscan fell just short of the win, 8-6.

The outcome was different at No. 2 doubles, featuring the talents of junior Maggie Vander Woude and sophomore Julia Razook. The tandem went to work early at the net; Vander Woude capitalized on nearly every net ball with Razook delivering serves of consistent depth. Quality angled strokes were the difference-maker, as Razook and Vander Woude came back from a 7-6 deficit to take the match 7-3 in a tiebreaker.

At No. 3 doubles, senior Claire Haddad and junior Emmy Mathias started off hot behind several unreturnable volleys from Mathias' racket. Set up well by Haddad at the baseline, Mathias stayed aggressive despite a deficit down the stretch. Haddad's strong serves kept the duo in the match late, but ultimately the Lady Barons fell 7-5 in a tiebreaker to give the Wolverines the 8-7 win.

Down 2-1 after doubles concluded, Haddad got things started the right way for the Barons. She took a dominant first set 6-1 at No. 4 singles, and behind solid groundstroke placement typified by a barrage of winners, kept momentum on her side in the second set. The senior executed well to the match's completion, and came off the court victorious after a 6-3 second set went her way.

After Conrad lost a tough 6-1, 6-1 match at No. 1 singles, Hammel found herself in a battle at the No. 2 spot. Despite a 6-2, 6-3 loss, she stayed in her points, countering her opponent's deep groundstrokes with quality shots of her own. Hammel found her consistency an issue as the second set reached its conclusion, but left the court after a difficult match with much-needed preparation, with the NCAAs only a short time away.

At No. 3 singles, Razook served well in a 6-3, 6-4 loss. She stayed aggressive at the net despite suffering a series of passing shots early in both sets, and saw her topspin improve as the match progressed. Shot placement was also a plus for the sophomore who is still regaining top form after returning from a fall semester in Austria.

Vander Woude recovered from a 6-1 first set loss, to make the match a difficult one for her No. 5 singles opponent in the second. She took the net at an increased rate after the conclusion of the first, but got her rhythm going too late, seeing her comeback fall short in a tiebreaker in the second set, 7-6.

Inconsistent play often overshadowed moments of dominance for Coyne at No. 6 singles. Her 6-4, 6-1 loss was an exhibition of shining moments and inconsistent groundstrokes, but ultimately was a display of some of the senior's best tennis.

Despite the loss, the Lady Barons played some exceptional tennis on the day, as was highlighted by head coach Scott Greve post-match. Their next match will consist of the first round of the NCAA Tournament come May, with location and times to be determined.