EWING, N.J. -- Taking on undefeated TCNJ in their first road match of the year, the 24th-ranked Christopher Newport women's tennis team suffered a 4-5 setback to the Lions, dropping their first match to a Division III opponent this season. CNU split the singles matches but TCNJ won two of three doubles to make up the difference in the match. 

Kara Ferner had the best day for the Captains, winning both at No. 2 doubles and at No. 3 singles. She paired with Colette Gilbert for an 8-3 win at 2 doubles against Audrey Chen and Julia Yoon to get CNU on the board in tandem play. TCNJ took a 2-1 lead, though, picking up an 8-5 win at No. 1 and an 8-4 win at No. 3. 

CNU looked to turn things around in singles by picking up straight set wins at No. 2 and 3, while junior Johanna Ranta-aho also earned a three-set victory on the top line. The Lions picked up a pair of wins at 4 and 5 to put the match deciding point in the hands of the players at No. 6. Gilbert faced Yoon and the TCNJ player finished off the win with a 6-2, 7-5 victory. 

The Captains' wins came from Ranta-aho over Liya Davidov (7-5, 5-7, 6-4), Olivia Reed over Alyssa Baldi (7-5, 6-4), and Ferner against Sarah Phung (6-2, 6-4). 

With the loss, CNU falls to 1-2 on the season while TCNJ is now 9-0. The Captains will return to action on Sunday, February 24 at Noon against No. 20 New York University.