BUENA VISTA, Va. — The Averett University women's tennis team fell 6-3 at Southern Virginia University on Friday night.
 
Senior Heidi Sarkkinen and sophomore Eleanor Crane won their fifth straight match at No. 1 doubles, but not before Southern Virginia (10-2) won the other two double matches to take the 2-1 lead in the match heading into singles play.
 
The Knights would extend their lead over Averett (5-2) with a win at No. 6 singles. Sarkkinen, whose ranked 21st nationally and 11th regionally in singles, would cut the Southern Virginia lead to 3-2 with a 6-0, 6-1 victory at No. 1 singles. This win keeps Sarkkinen undefeated in singles play since the spring season began.
 
Southern Virginia would seal the match with wins at No. 5 and No. 3 singles. Crane went on to collect a 7-6, 6-2 victory at No. 2 singles. The Tallwood, Australia, native has now won her past five singles matches. The Knights won the last match of the night at No. 4 singles to leave the final score at 6-3 in favor of Southern Virginia.
 
The Cougars travel on Saturday to Winston-Salem State University to take on the Rams. Doubles play is set to begin at 1 p.m.