CHARLESTON, W. Va. – The University of Charleston Women's tennis team fell short in their home opener this season to #21 Grand Valley State. Charleston got off to a strong start taking all three doubles courts.  Balakrishnan/Balancho got off to a great start to win 6-3 at #3 doubles. Swann/Drouin clinched the doubles point with a 6-4 win at #2 doubles. At #1 doubles Lif/Singh came from behind to win 6-4 and put the Golden Eagles into a strong position entering doubles. 
 
Charleston led 1-0 going into Singles. Grand Valley took early control in the singles matches winning at #2, #3, #4 spots. Charleston down 1-3 at this point came roaring back with impressive wins at #1, and #6 positions. Singh #1 won 6-3, 6-4 in a great match. Balakrishnan #6 won 6-0, 6-0 to put the pressure back on and tie the overall match score 3-3. The final point came down to #5 singles. Lif had a battle at #5 and fell just short 3-6, 6-7(4) 
 
Charleston will play again on March 13^th at home to Mercyhurst, which will be an critical match when determining regional standings.
 
Singles Results (Order of Finish) 
 
#2 – Barrett (GVSU) def. Swann (UC) (6-4, 6-1) 
#4 – Vasileia Griva (GVSU) def. Balancho (UC) (6-4, 6-2) 
#3 – Leko (GVSU) def. Drouin (UC) (6-1, 6-3) 
#6 – Balakrishnan (UC) def. Huang (GVSU) (6-0, 6-0) 
#1 – Singh (UC) def. Vera Griva (GVSU) (6-3, 6-4) 
#5 – Hanover (GVSU) def. Lif (UC) (6-3, 7-6(4)) 
 
Doubles Results (Order of Finish) 
 
#3 – Balancho/Balakrishnan (UC) def. Leko/Canellopoulos (GVSU) 6-3 
#2 – Drouin/Swann (UC) def. Griva/Barrett (GVSU) 6-4 
#1 – Lif/Singh (UC) def. Griva/Hanover (GVSU) 6-4