GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- The 31st-ranked Tusculum College women's tennis team won a closely contested contest against 28th-ranked Queens University of Charlotte by a 5-4 margin on Saturday afternoon. Franziska Funke clinched the decisive point for the Pioneers (16-1, 8-1 South Atlantic Conference).

TC won a pair of doubles matches to take an early 2-1 advantage. Funke teamed with Amanda Sumner in the top position and they upset Carlotta Nassi and Melissa Laing (8-3), who are ranked ninth in the Southeast Region. Emily Waters and Kate Hutchinson earned the other crucial point for TC with their 8-3 win over Jaclyn Rock and Claire Hamilton in the three spot.

Funke edged Marta Gonzalez 7-5, 6-2 in the third singles spot to clinch the Pioneer victory. Erin Mills was victorious over Melissa Laing (6-2, 6-4) in the second flight, while Sarah Baker edged Hamilton 7-6, 7-5 at number six.

Tusculum will take a well deserved break before continuing its three-match road trip next Friday at Brevard. First serves against the Tornados are set for 2 p.m.

1. #14 Carlotta Nassi (QUEENS) def. Kealee Heffner (TCW) 6-1, 6-0

2. Erin Mills (TCW) def. Melissa Laing (QUEENS) 6-2, 6-4

3. Franziska Funke (TCW) def. Marta Gonzalez (QUEENS) 7-5, 6-2

4. Caroline Nielsen (QUEENS) def. Kate Hutchinson (TCW) 6-1, 6-4

5. Jaclyn Rock (QUEENS) def. Adrienne Kaye (TCW) 6-2, 6-2

6. Sarah Baker (TCW) def. Claire Hamilton (QUEENS) 7-6, 7-5

1. Franziska Funke/Amanda Sumner (TCW) def. #9 Carlotta Nassi/Melissa Laing (QUEENS) 8-3

2. Marta Gonzalez/Caroline Nielsen (QUEENS) def. Erin Mills/Kealee Heffner (TCW) 8-5

3. Emily Waters/Kate Hutchinson (TCW) def. Jaclyn Rock/Claire Hamilton (QUEENS) 8-3

Tusculum 16-1, 8-1 SAC; National ranking #31; Regional ranking #8

Queens University of Charlotte 11-2, 5-2 SAC; National ranking #28; Regional ranking #5