Women's Tennis | 10/3/2015 8:32:00 AM

WHEELING, W.Va. – The combination of defending Mountain East Conference champion West Virginia State and a steady downpour proved too much for the West Liberty University women's tennis team to overcome Friday afternoon.
    Coach Heather Gallagher's Hilltoppers (5-3, 4-1) eventually wound up on the short end of an 8-1 score against the unbeaten Yellowjackets (3-0, 3-0) in a match that began on the outdoor courts at West Liberty but finished up inside "The Bubble" at Wheeling Park.
    The Hilltoppers got a big win in doubles play as Emily Dawson and Kate Pinchuk picked up an 8-4 decision at No. 2 doubles and nearly took a 2-1 lead into singles play as Raquel Cabero and Rhiannon James battled State's Brittany Franco and Laura Isbey to the wire before dropping an 8-6 nailbiter at No. 1 doubles.
    That gave State a 2-1 lead since the visitors had picked up an 8-1 win at No. 3 doubles and it proved to be as close as the Hilltoppers would come.
    Playing conditions had deteriorated during the latter stages of doubles play with the wind and rain becoming more persistent. As a result, the decision was made to make the drive to Wheeling Park and play the singles matches on the indoor courts.
    The Yellowjackets swept all six of the singles matches with five of their victories coming in straight sets. James was the only Hilltopper to extend her match, rallying to a 6-2 nod in the second set at No. 3 singles, but State's Nina Dillwald battled back to take the third and deciding set by a 6-4 count.
    The West Liberty women go back on the road Wednesday with a 4 p.m. match at West Virginia Wesleyan..
 
WOMEN'S TENNIS
W.Va. State 8, West Liberty 1
Singles
Brittany Franco (WVS) d. Raquel Cabero, 6-1 6-1
Laura Isbey (WVS) d. Emily Dawson, 6-3 7-5
Nina Dillwald (WVS) d. Rhiannon James, 6-4 2-6 6-4
Charlotte Sandy (WVS) d. Andrea Puga, 7-5 6-2
Diana Cotoros (WVS) d. Ana Berbel, 6-1 6-1
Kayla McKnight (WVS) d. Kate Pinchuk, 6-1 6-4
Doubles
Franco/Isbey (WVS) d. Cabero/James, 8-6
Dawson/Pinchuk (WLU) d. Dillwald/McKnight, 8-4
Cotoros/Brenda Cumpa (WVS) d. Berbel/Alaina Pauley, 8-1