MERION STATION, Pa. - For the second day in a row, the Saint Joseph's women's tennis team battled to the final point. On Wednesday, visiting Villanova snapped a 3-3 tie in the final singles match of the day to top the Hawks, 4-3.

Maureen and Anne Marie Devlin teamed for a 6-2 win at No. 3 doubles, but the Wildcats picked up wins at the top two flights to take the opening point.

The Hawks would fall behind 2-0 as Villanova opened singles play with a win at the third flight. but Saint Joseph's answered with wins at the first, second and fourth flights to take a3-2 edge. Claire Minnoe posted a 6-3, 6-3 win at no. 1 singles, while Maureen Devlin was a 6-4, 6-2 winner at the second flight and Alex Zachem earned a 6-1, 6-4 decision at the fourth flight.

Villanova won the sixth flight, leading to an exciting final point as SJU's Arianne Polatnick and Villanova's Samantha Schafer battled to the third set. Unfortunately for the Hawks, Schafer took the final set, 7-5, to earn the victory for the Wildcats.

"The match was as close as it can get. A very exciting contest," said SJU head coach Ian Crookenden. "A terrific battle of high quality tennis. We had the match in the best hands with Arianne fighting for the Hawks, but we fell short. Kudos to Villanova for a well fought match. 

The Hawks (3-9) return to action Saturday at Morgan State at 3 p.m.

Doubles
1. Tori Smyth / Lindsey Evans (VU) def. Claire Minnoe / Alex Zachem (SJU) 6-2
2. Sydney King / Victoria Martinez (VU) def. Kristina Eisenbrand / Sarah Contrata (SJU) 6-4
3. Anne Marie Devlin / Maureen Devlin (SJU) def. Paulina Bajet / Linley Busby (VU) 6-2