Leavenworth, Kan.—Spire women's tennis earned a pair of convincing home singles victories but came up short in doubles and late singles action in a 5-2 loss to Bethany College (Kan.) yesterday Monday, March 9^th at David Brewer Park in Leavenworth, Kansas.

Bethany claimed the all-important doubles point by taking two of the three doubles matches, then added four singles wins at the Nos. 1, 4, 5 and 6 positions to secure the team victory. USM's points came in the middle of the lineup, where Shannon Finn and Monserrat Guerrero delivered straight-sets wins at Nos. 2 and 3 singles.

The Spires opened the day with a strong performance at No. 1 doubles, where the pairing of Mia Rojas and Finn rolled to a 6-2 victory over Bethany's Ana Sofia Castillo Paz and Helen Harbit. That result gave the Spires early energy and momentum, but Bethany answered at the back of the doubles lineup. The Swedes leveled the doubles with a 6-3 win at No. 2, then captured the doubles point when Elise Richardson and Kelsee Adam posted a 6-2 decision at No. 3.

In singles, Finn carried her doubles form onto the singles court. Playing at No. 2, she controlled play from the baseline and closed out a 6-1, 6-4 win over Bethany's Kyla Metro to put USM on the board. Guerrero followed with another strong effort at No. 3 singles, earning a 6-3, 6-2 victory against Makenna Russom to give the Spires their second point of the afternoon.

USM battled at the top and bottom of the lineup but could not turn those matches into additional points. At No. 1 singles, Rojas pushed Castillo Paz in a tight opening set before falling 7-5, 6-1. Rowen Weimers dropped a competitive match at No. 4, 7-5, 6-4, while Arsys Rojas fell 6-1, 6-4 at No. 5. At No. 6 singles, the Spires took the opening set behind solid play from the back of the court, but Bethany's Karee Adam rallied for a 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 comeback that sealed the dual.

Bethany finished with the doubles point and a 4-2 edge in singles to account for the 5-2 final score. Despite the loss, Saint Mary's strength was evident in the straight-sets wins from Finn and Guerrero and the early surge in top-line doubles.

The Spires will get right back at it this Thursday, March 12^th against KCAC opponent the Ottawa University Braves beginning at 11:00 a.m. at Forest Park in Ottawa, Kansas.