Deanna Thirkell and Katie Patterson won two matches each, but that wasn't enough as the Colorado College women's tennis dropped a 5-4 decision to Bethel University on Thursday morning in Orlando, Fla.
 
Thirkell began the day with her best match of the season at No. 1 singles when she beat Lisa Scheevel in a perfect 6-0, 6-0 victory. With the win, the senior is now 7-4 on the season at the No. 1 singles position.
 
Patterson earned the second singles point for CC when she beat Steph Brown, 6-2, 7-6 at No. 2 singles.
 
Bethel, however, fought back to win the remaining four singles points to take a 4-2 edge over the Tigers.
 
The Royals' Amanda Johnson and Abigail Kreklau both came from behind during their singles matches to beat Mary Edman, 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 and Maggie Harwood, 0-6, 6-4, 7-5 at No. 5 and 6 singles, respectively.
 
“Deanna and Katie started us off strong in singles,” said head coach Todd Doebler. “Both Mary and Maggie had tough three set matches.
 
“Even though we were down 4-2 after singles, we played some great doubles and fought hard. We just didn't quite pull off the come back.” 
 
The Tigers attempted a comeback during doubles play when Thirkell and Edman teamed together for a 9-8 victory over Scheevel and Brown at No. 1 doubles.
 
Patterson and Caila Criss fought hard during a 9-7 victory over Kristin Vivian and Kayla Wheeler at No. 2 doubles, but that wasn't enough as Bethel earned the final victory at No. 3 doubles to get the win over the Tigers.
 
Colorado College dropped to 7-4 on the season and plays Carthage College in the sixth and final match in Orlando over spring break.
 

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Results
 
Singles Competition
1. CC – Deanna Thirkell def. Lisa Scheevel 6-0, 6-0
2. CC – Katie Patterson def. Steph Brown 6-2, 7-6
3. BU – Kristin Vivian def. Caila Criss 6-4, 6-3
4. BU – Kayla Wheeler def. Maddy Bush 6-0, 6-1
5. BU – Amanda Johnson def. Mary Edman 3-6, 6-3, 7-5
6. BU – Abigail Kreklau def. Maggie Harwood 0-6, 6-4, 7-5
 
Doubles Competition
1. CC – Deanna Thirkell/Mary Edman def. Lisa Scheevel/Steph Brown 9-8
2. CC – Katie Patterson/Caila Criss def. Kristin Vivian/Kayla Wheeler 9-7
3. BU – Amanda Johnson/Charise Kendrick def. Maddy Bush/Anna Sweeney 8-4