Gophers Edged by Lebanon Valley 5-4

ANNVILLE, Pa. - In a match that came down to the final singles pairing of the afternoon, host Lebanon Valley College defeated Goucher College 5-4 in non-conference women's tennis Wednesday afternoon.

Lebanon Valley (3-1) jumped out to a 2-1 lead with wins at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles before the Gophers (0-3) got a point back at No. 3 doubles with Alex DiGiovanni (York, Pa. / Dover) and Sara Healy (Waterford, Va. / Woodgrove) prevailing 8-4.

The Dutchmen extended their lead to 4-1 with wins at the top two singles flights before Goucher picked up the next three points to tie the match 4-4.  Gigi Bellisario (Elmer, N.J. / Woodstown) rallied for a 4-6, 6-3, 10-3 win at No. 3 singles, then Eliza Abady (Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. / The Masters School) posted a 7-5, 6-4 win at No. 4, the first collegiate singles win for the freshman.

DiGiovanni tied the match 4-4 with a three-set win at No. 5, registering a 6-3, 3-6, 10-3 triumph.  No. 6 singles was also a three-set affair, with LVC's Abbey DeLisio topping Sarai Silvera (Houston, Texas / Harmony School of Discovery) 3-6, 6-4, 10-6.

Bellisario and DiGiovanni each improved to 2-1 in singles play this season.

Goucher returns to action Saturday when it travels to Kean for a 1 pm match.