KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Despite a thrilling three set singles win from senior Natalie Paradise (Naugatuck, Conn.), the Western Connecticut State University women's tennis team was edged in a dramatic match on Monday, eventually falling to Franciscan University, 7-2, at Oak Street Courts.

The final score would not indicate the competitive nature of the contest. After dropping No. 1 doubles, the Wolves countered with a win from the No. 2 spot as juniors Sophie Charbonneau (Oakville, Conn.) and Diana Rebelo (Naugatuck, Conn.) fought and escaped with an 8-6 win. It set up a breathtaking final doubles matchup. However, Paradise and junior Brooke Stillman (Brookfield, Conn.) came up on the short end of an 8-7 decision.

Rebelo wouldn't go down easy in her singles matchup against Jordan Beltavski. However, Beltavski would edge her (6-3, 7-5). It set up another nailbiting match between Charbonneau and Delaney Dawson. Charbonneau breezed to a first set win, 6-2, before Dawson answered with a second set victory, 6-1. It set up a third set marathon, but Dawson would outlast Charbonneau to earn the match win, 12-10. Paradise retaliated to seize her three set win (4-6, 6-4, 10-8). But the Barons would capture the crown in three remaining singles matches en route to the team victory.

The Wolves will look to rebound when they face Roger Williams University on Tuesday.