HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. --- Blake Thompson recorded the deciding point at No. 6 singles as the Tusculum College women's tennis team rallied to a 5-4 victory over 49th-ranked University of Charleston (W.Va.) Wednesday afternoon at Hilton Head Island.

The Pioneers (9-1) win their third straight match, while knocking off nationally ranked opponent for the first time this season. The Golden Eagles, champions of the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, falls to 15-3 on the season.

Tusculum fell behind 2-1 after doubles play as the Pioneers dropped a point at No. 1 and No. 3 doubles. The Pioneers got an important point at No. 2 doubles as Courtney Conley and Taylor Patterson defeated Sarah Monsheimer and Christina Samoilov, 8-3 in pro sets.

TC knotted the match at 3-3, capturing two of the three top singles matches. Katelyn Doss defeated Neha Rana, 6-1, 6-2 at No. 1 singles, while Conley (South Atlantic Conference Player of the Week) knocked off Alyssa Hackworth, 6-1, 6-3.

Caroline Crowe outlasted Samoilov 6-4, 2-6, 10-2 at No. 4 singles, but UC's Laura Smith posted a 6-0, 6-3 win against Katie Hillis at the fifth flight.

With the match tied at 4-4, Thompson clinched the match for Tusculum with her 6-4, 6-1 win over Ilaisanne Carter at No. 6 singles.

Tusculum will close out its spring break stay in Hilton Head on Thursday morning with an 8 a.m. match against Upper Iowa.

- TC -

Women's Tennis Match Results
#49 Charleston (W.Va.) vs Tusculum
Mar 10, 2010 at Hilton Head Island, S.C.

Tusculum 5, #49 Charleston (W.Va.) 4

Singles competition:
1. Katelyn Doss (TCW) def. Neha Rana (UCWV) 6-1, 6-2
2. Courtney Conley (TCW) def. Alyssa Hackworth (UCWV) 6-1, 6-3
3. Sarah Monsheimer (UCWV) def. Taylor Patterson (TCW) 6-4, 7-5
4. Caroline Crowe (TCW) def. Christina Samoilov (UCWV) 6-4, 2-6, 10-2
5. Laura Smith (UCWV) def. Katie Hillis (TCW) 6-0, 6-3
6. Blake Thompson (TCW) def. Ilaisanne Carter (UCWV) 6-4, 6-1

Doubles competition:
1. Neha Rana/Alyssa Hackworth (UCWV) def. Katelyn Doss/Caroline Crowe (TCW) 8-4
2. Taylor Patterson/Courtney Conley (TCW) def. Sarah Monsheimer/Christina Samoilov (UCWV) 8-3
3. Laura Smith/Ilaisanne Carter (UCWV) def. Kristin Keefer/Megan Buckmaster (TCW) 8-2

Notes:
Tusculum 9-1
#49 Charleston (W.Va.) 15-3
Charleston ranked No. 49 in NCAA Division II