LOCKPORT, Ill. --- The University of St. Francis women's tennis team nearly pulled off the upset of NAIA No.17 ranked Cardinal Stritch University on Tuesday afternoon at Challenge Fitness only to have the Wolves rally for 4-3 victory.

Nikkie Christiansen was a big factor in the Saints taking Cardinal Stritch down to the wire. She and Gabriella Noa notched the first point for USF with their 7-6 (7-4) win at No.2 doubles. That came just after the No.3 team of Yashleen Kheterpal and Kiana Sikich posted a 6-4 victory.

Cardinal Stritch won the No.1 doubles match, but not without a fight from Maria Kuzminskaya and Denisse Lizano, who came up just short of pulling off the doubles sweep in the 7-6 (7-5) decision.

After Lizano made it a 2-0 game with her 7-5, 6-1 victory at No.1 singles, Cardinal Stritch started the first of its two rallies. The Wolves forced a two all tie with wins at No.2 and No.5 singles before Christiansen enabled the Saints to regain the lead with her 7-6 (7-5), 7-5 victory at No.3 singles.

That, however, would be USF's final win on the afternoon as Cardinal Stritch won 7-5, 6-0 at No.4 singles and 7-6 (7-2), 2-6, 6-1 at No.6 to claim the match victory.

Up Next
The Saints hit the road on Saturday when they travel to Davenport, Iowa to face St. Ambrose University in another league matchup beginning at noon.

You can keep up with everything happening around USF Athletics on Twitter @USFSaints.