HOLDEN, Mass. – The Worcester State University women's tennis team fell 8-1 to the Bridgewater State Bears Saturday afternoon at the tennis courts at Wachusett Regional High School.

The Lancers fall to 4-5 (2-2 LEC), while the undefeated Little East Conference opponents, Bridgewater State, improved to 4-3 (3-0 LEC) on the season.

Doubles competition paced the scene for each team, as the Bears swept the Lancers for three points to start. The closest doubles match was between Bridgewater State's dual senior Alison Vautrin (Somerset, Mass.) and sophomore Rebecca Zeuschner (West Hartford, Conn.) who defeated Worcester State's sophomore Nathalie Khafaga (Auburn, Mass.) and sophomore Rachel Green (Worcester, Mass.), 8-5.

In the singles competition, sophomore Alexis Silk (Greenfield, Mass.) put up a fight with the Bears' freshman Hayley Anderson (San Antonio, Texas) when she brought the score within reach with a 7-6 (7-4) score in the first set, and ended up falling 6-2 in the second set for Anderson to take the point.

The lone win for the Lancers this past afternoon was Khafaga who defeated Zeuschner 6-2 and 6-4. "She kept her head in the game and made every point count," said head coach Courteney Blais.

"Despite losing the match to some tough competitors, the team kept a positive attitude and I'm proud of the way the girls kept their nose to the grindstone, even when things got hard."

This week the Lancers will continue play on their home court, as they take on Little East Conference opponent, UMass Dartmouth, this upcoming Tuesday on the campus of Clark University at 3:30 p.m.

Singles Competition

1. Alison Vautrin (BSU) def. Shelby Jankins (WSU) 6-0, 6-2
2. Alisha Silva (BSU) def. Megan Shepard (WSU) 6-1, 6-1
3. Hayley Anderson (BSU) def. Alexis Silk (WSU) 7-6 (7-4), 6-2
4. Nathalie Khafaga (WSU) def. Rebecca Zeuschner (BSU) 6-2, 6-4
5. Alison Scagnelli (BSU) def. Cassandra Goncalves (WSU) 6-2, 6-0
6. Bojana Roman (BSU) def. Olivia Budney (WSU) 6-0, 6-1

Doubles Competition

1. Alisha Silva/Hayley Anderson (BSU) def. Shelby Jankins/Megan Shepard (WSU) 8-4
2. Alison Vautrin/Rebecca Zeuschner (BSU) def. Nathalie Khafaga/Rachel Green (WSU) 8-5
3. Alison Scagnelli/Bojana Roman (BSU) def. Alexis Silk/Olivia Budney (WSU) 8-1