CHARLESTON – The West Virginia Wesleyan women's tennis team edged by UVa.-Wise by a 5-4 score in the opening round of the Mountain East Conference Tournament today here at the Schoenbaum Tennis Courts.

"This was a tough match and you have to give UVa.-Wise credit for battling all the way through," remarked Wesleyan head coach Marc Walters. "They caught us on a good day and put themselves in a position to win, and that's the sign of a team with a lot of fight."

Wesleyan had to rally in singles action after falling behind in doubles play by a 2-1 score.

Paula Pimenta and Sydney Stansberry defeated Haley Thacker and Junetta Nuckles at No. 3 doubles by an 8-5 score for the lone doubles victory.

Wesleyan came back to win four of the six individual matches.

Pimenta defeated Daria Tyschenki at No. 1 (7-5, 6-1), Mariona Junyer bested Bailey Christoforatos at No. 2 (6-1, 6-1), Julia Uchoa beat Marti Gay at No. 4 (6-2, 6-1) and Sarah Cameron knocked off Mackenzie Lawson at No. 5 (6-2, 2-6, 6-1).

"To our credit, we overcame a couple of subpar performances in doubles and kept our heads right enough to compete in singles," Walters stated. "It would've been easy for Sarah Cameron and Mariona Junyer to spiral out of contention under pressure, but both were able to focus up and execute a game plan which kept us in the match."

Wesleyan will now play top seed West Virginia State tomorrow at 11 a.m. in the semi-finals. The Yellow Jackets received a first-round bye and are the defending MEC champions.

"Playing 54 matches is important for the growth of the team and putting those players in tough situations only helps improve us overall," concluded Walters. "Hopefully that mentality will go forward and help tomorrow against a very solid West Virginia State team."