NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The No. 25 Carleton College women's tennis team lost a tight tussle with No. 29 Gustavus Adolphus College, falling 6-3 in a meeting between the two programs that have won at least a share of 39 of the 42 MIAC regular-season titles.
 
With the victory, Gustavus (22-7, 8-0 MIAC) will enter the final week of the regular season with a one-match lead over both Carleton (12-3, 7-1 MIAC) and Bethel (12-4, 7-1 MIAC).
 
On Saturday, the Gusties raced out to a 3-0 lead by sweeping doubles. Carleton's top tandem, Amelia Asfaw and Mariam Nechiporuk, dropped an 8-6 result to the Gusties' nationally-ranked duo of Kaya De Brujin and Karina Elvestrom. The visitors also claimed an 8-3 win at the second slot and an 8-4 triumph at No. 3 doubles.
 
The singles matches proved to be closer, including three contests that headed to super tiebreakers.
 
After the Gusties widened their team lead to 4-0 with a 6-2, 6-1 victory at No. 4 singles, the Knights began their comeback.
 
Asfaw topped Elvestrom, ranked No 14 in the nation, in straight sets by a 6-2, 6-4 tally. Piper Brown followed with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Brooke Haddorff at the sixth slot. Kiley Pickens pulled Carleton to within 4-3 in the team competition as she rallied for a 6-7 (5-7), 6-2, 1-0 (10-7) victory at the fourth slot. It was Pickens' team-high 13th victory of the year.
 
The day's final two matches also went the distance.
 
Nechiporuk dropped a thrilling at No. 2 singles, falling 6-3, 2-6, 1-0 (12-10) to De Brujin at No. 2 singles. Ryann Witter rallied from a set down but came up just short against Noor Omar in a 6-2, 4-6, 1-0 (10-7) result.
 
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton, which has already secured a berth in the upcoming MIAC Playoffs, heads to College of St. Scholastica for a 1:00 p.m. match on Saturday, April 26 before wrapping up the regular season by hosting College of Saint Benedict on Sunday, April 27.