ORLANDO, Fla. --- The University of St. Francis women's tennis team went back and forth with NCAA II Winona State University (Minn.) all afternoon long before the latter came away with a 4-3 victory on Sunday afternoon.

The Warriors (8-2) opened the match by sweeping the three doubles contests, winning at No.2 6-1 and at both Nos. 1 and 3 by 6-3 counts.

The Saints (3-5) responded with three straight victories to gain a 3-1 advantage halfway through singles play. Kiana Sikich got the match even at one with her 6-1, 6-1 win at No. 5 before Viyaleta Hordzich put St. Francis up with her 6-1, 6-0 victory in the No.6 slot. Nikkie Christiansen then followed with her 6-4, 6-2 nod over Beth Murman at No.2.

After Winona State made it a 3-2 contest with its victory at No.3 singles, the two teams went to a third set in each of their final two matches with the Warriors prevailing each time to claim the decision. Denisse Lizano forced a third set at No.1 before falling 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, while Maria Kuzminskaya won her first set at No.4 before dropping the 6-7 (2-7), 6-3, 6-2 match.

Up Next
The Saints meet up with Judson University for a Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference match at 9 am on Monday.

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