SALEM, Mass. - Despite winning four of six singles matches, the Western Connecticut State University women's tennis team was blanked in doubles play en route to a heartbreaking defeat at Little East Conference foe Salem State, 5-4, on Saturday afternoon. 

Things looked good for the Wolves early. In doubles action, leading 5-0 in the match, seniors Sarah Cipriano (Watertown, Conn.) and Sophie Charbonneau (Oakville, Conn.) dropped eight of the next nine games, losing 8-6. 

Classmates Brooke Stillman (Brookfield, Conn.) and Jessica Nyitrai (Trumbull, Conn.) battled at the No. 3 slot throughout their contest, exchanging service game winners, but fell one point short of forcing a tiebreaker. The hosts would hold a 3-0 lead to conclude doubles play. 

In singles needing five of the six courts, WestConn won four of them. Cipriano and Charbonneau bounced back from their doubles loss and won convincingly in singles. Senior Diana Rebelo (Naugatuck, Conn.) also won her singles match from the No. 3 position. Stillman and Nyitrai were battling to force a third set in their respective matches, but Stillman eventually fell short thus clinching the win for Salem State. In the meantime, Nyitrai ended the day coming from behind to win in a thrilling third set tiebreaker. 

"Todays loss is very disappointing. Three of the five courts we lost, one in which we had a solid lead, could have gone either way. In a short season of conference play, every match is significant. Hopefully, our team can learn from this experience and be stronger for the next match," said WestConn head coach Shawn Stillman at the end of the day.

With the loss, the Wolves dropped to 2-3 overall. They return to the court at non-conference opponent Bard College on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.