Box Score LYNCHBURG, Va. — With a thrilling finish at No. 1 singles, the Averett University women's tennis team defeated the University of Lynchburg, 5-4, on the road on Saturday afternoon for its third consecutive victory.

With the match tied 4-4, the outcome came down to the finish at at No. 1 singles between Averett senior Heidi Sarkkinen and Lynchburg's Christina Harris. Sarkkinen, ranked No. 21 in the nation and No. 8 in the region, battled with Harris, who is ranked 32nd in the nation and 11th in the region. Harris took the first set 6-2, but Sarkkinen rallied for the win by taking the next two sets (6-1, 6-1) to lift the Cougars to one of the team's biggest victories in recent years.

At No. 2 singles, sophomore Eleanor Crane won in two sets, 6-0, 6-1, while freshman Inka Zeilstra won held off Lynchburg's Caroline Guill in three sets at No. 3 singles. Zeilstra opened with a 6-2 win, lost 2-6 and then won 6-1 to help set up the exciting finish.

Doubles play ended up making a big difference for Averett (4-1), which earned two of the three doubles points to hand Lynchburg (6-1) its first loss of the season. The duo of senior Sarkinnen and Crane won their match at No. 1 doubles, 8-5, while the freshman tandem of Zeilstra and Kristina Hedelt earned an 8-7 comeback victory at No. 2 doubles to secure the second doubles point.

The Cougars return home to face USA South foe Meredith College on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.