CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Liberty University women's tennis team came up just short in a battle for second place in the Mountain East Conference standings here Friday as Charleston came from behind to pull out a 5-4 win at the Charleston Tennis Club.

Coach Heather Gallagher's Hilltoppers (6-4, 5-2) won two of the three doubles matches to grab an early lead and moved within one victory of taking the match when Ana Berbel and Kate Pinchuk breezed to straight-set nods at Nos. 5 and 6 singles, respectively.

The Black and Gold wasn't able to pull out that final decision, however, as UC (7-1, 6-1) managed to sweep the top four singles matches to escape with the narrow win.

Berbel had teamed with Andrea Puga for a crucial 9-7 win at No. 3 doubles while Raquel Cabero and Rhiannon James took an 8-6 nod at No. 1 doubles.

The West Liberty women have locked up the No. 3 seed for next week's MEC Tournament in Charleston.

WOMEN'S TENNIS

Charleston 5, West Liberty 4

Singles

Toni Katipa (UC) d. Raquel Cabero (WLU) 6-0, 6-1

Elise Edwards (UC) d. Emily Dawson (WLU) 6-2, 7-6

Ana Pena (UC) d. Rhiannon James (WLU) 6-4, 6-4

Jackie Bakos (UC) d. Andrea Puga (WLU) 6-4, 6-3

Ana Berbel (WLU) d. Taylor Todd (UC) 6-2, 7-5

Kate Pinchuk (WLU) d. Taylor Youell (UC) 6-3, 6-2

Doubles

Cabero/James (WLU) d. Katipa/Edwards (UC) 8-6

Bakos/Todd (UC) d. Dawson/Pinchik (WLU) 8-2

Puga/Berbel (WLU) d. Slusarciuc/Youell (UC) 9-7