CHATTANOOGA, TENN.- Appalachian State University women's tennis posted a solid effort, but fell short Sunday afternoon, as the Mountaineers lost their first league match of the season, falling 5-2 to Chattanooga. With the loss, the Apps drop to 6-5 on the season and 0-1 in conference play, while UTC improves to 3-7 overall and earns its first SoCon win of the season, moving to 1-3.

In doubles action, the duo of Ellie Linsell and Olivia Stannard were unable to keep pace with Emily Hangstefer and Grace Robinette at the number one spot, dropping an 8-2 decision.

Blakeley Bean and Gisela Fernandez were unsuccessful as well in doubles action, falling 8-4 at the number two spot. The number three doubles match ended 5-5 when it was called to allow singles competition to begin, as Jennifer Ansari and Caroline Mauch battled with Charlotte Bossy and Annie Green.

Three singles matches were pushed into three sets, but only two Mountaineers were able to notch victories.

Stannard started off singles action, as she fell to Hangstefer 6-2, 6-3 at the number three spot, while Linsell was on strong the afternoon but lost to her competitor at the number one spot, falling in two hard-fought sets, losing 6-4, 6-4.

Ansari kept the Black and Gold alive in the match by beating Shaina Singh at the two spot, winning 6-4, 6-4, and Bean cut into Chattanooga's advantage, making the match score 3-2, as she squeaked out a three set victory over Bossy at the number five spot.

Despite winning the first set at the number four spot over Grace Robinette 7-6, Mauch dropped the next 3-6, and then came up just short losing 7-5, as Robinette won the match and gave Chattanooga the overall match victory.

Fernandez was impressive as well at the six spot, handing Jennifer Taylor a 6-4 first set loss, before falling in the next two sets.

Continuing conference play, ASU stays on the road, as the Apps head to Elon, N.C. to square off against the Elon Phoenix, Wednesday March 17 at 2:30 p.m.