JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. --- Tusculum University nearly rallied from a 3-0 deficit but dropped a 4-2 decision to Carson-Newman University in South Atlantic Conference women's tennis Wednesday at the Catlett Tennis Complex.

The Eagles (7-2, 4-0 SAC) won the doubles point and the first two completed singles matches before the Pioneers (1-9, 0-5 SAC) came back with two straight wins. Tusculum went to a third set in each of the final two singles matches, but Carson-Newman was able to finish off the win.

After trailing 1-0 following doubles, the Pioneers fell behind 3-0 as Hala Awad beat Jimena Rivera 6-1, 6-0 at flight three and Maria del Mar Sarda defeated Samira Butt 6-3, 6-2 at flight six. Tusculum would get on the board at flight two, where Elodie Baechler downed Emma Sanchez Jimenez 6-4, 6-4.

The Pioneers moved within 3-2 as Valeria Diaz rallied from a set down to beat Leah McBride 2-6, 6-3, 6-3. However, Sindija Manovska was able to hold on to beat Thilda Danielsson 6-0, 5-7, 6-3 at flight four to clinch the victory for the Eagles.

Tusculum is on the road on Saturday, March 22 to take on Limestone. The Saints fell 4-0 to Lenoir-Rhyne on Wednesday and are 2-7 overall and 1-3 in the SAC.