WAUKESHA, Wis. – The Carroll University women's tennis team came up just short in a tightly contested matchup Saturday, falling 4-3 to Illinois Wesleyan University.

The Pioneers opened the day with a victory at No. 1 doubles, where Natasa Pupovac and Katherine Trifilio earned a 6-3 win over Amber Ehrlich and Olivia Bell. Illinois Wesleyan responded with wins at the second and third doubles positions to claim the doubles point.

Carroll battled back once play shifted to singles, earning victories in three of the six matches. Megan Trifilio turned in the Pioneers' most decisive win at No. 3 singles, defeating Katie Van Heuklon in straight sets, 6-0, 6-4. 

Two more Carroll victories came in tightly contested matches. At No. 1 singles, Natasa Pupovac battled Amber Ehrlich across three sets. After winning the opener 6-3 and dropping the second 4-6, Pupovac secured the match with a 10-7 victory in the deciding tiebreaker. 

Mia Franke provided another three-set victory at No. 4. After falling 4-6 in the opening set against Elana Religioso, Franke answered with a 6-4 win in the second before taking the deciding tiebreaker 10-6. 

Illinois Wesleyan ultimately secured the match with straight-set victories at Nos. 2, 5 and 6 singles, allowing the Titans to escape with the narrow 4-3 team victory.

The Pioneers will have a quick turnaround as they return home Tuesday for a 4 p.m. match when they take on Elmhurst.