Colorado College turned in a gutsy performance in gusty conditions to record a 5-4 victory over Colorado Christian University on Tuesday afternoon at the Lakewood Park tennis courts.

On a day when the Tigers dropped points at both No. 1 and No. 2 singles for the first time this season, Caila Criss and Katie Patterson posted come-from-behind singles victories to help the Tigers improve to 8-3 overall and 5-0 against Division II opponents.

“The wind was a huge factor today,” head coach Perry Wright said. “I was really proud of how Katie and Caila battled back from a set down. They really had to dig deep to pull it out. There were a lot of really great individual efforts and it took some serious mental perseverance to keep their composure as the conditions were not ideal.”

The Cougars grabbed an early lead when they posted an 8-0 victory at No. 1 doubles, but CC won the next two points and held the lead heading into the singles play for the seventh time in 11 matches after Katie Patterson and Erin Yamamoto prevailed by an 8-4 count at No. 2 doubles.

Tori Marsh gave the Tigers a third point with a convincing 6-3, 6-0 triumph at No. 6 singles, but CCU pulled even when Kara Williams posted a 6-4, 6-2 win over Jordan Evans that snapped her nine-match winning streak.

Patterson put Colorado College back in front by rallying for a 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 victory at No. 3 singles, marking the sixth time this season she has won both points in a match.

Criss clinched the series sweep against the Cougars with a 5-7, 6-3, 6-3 win at No. 4 singles to claim her third come-from-behind decision of the year.

Colorado College travels to Sherman, Texas, this weekend for Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference matches against Southwestern University, Millsaps College and Austin College that will have an impact on the seeding for the upcoming conference tournament.