ANDERSON, S.C. - Despite earning four singles wins, Anderson University women's tennis was unable to stir a comeback, falling 5-4 to Tusculum in South Atlantic Conference action Sunday afternoon at Max Grubbs Memorial Courts.

After earning their first win on Saturday, the Trojans suffer their fourth setback of the season and second in league play, matching last season's loss total in the league for the year. On the other side of the court, the Pioneers improve to 5-1 and capture their SAC opener.

The visitors opened up the contest with all three doubles win by identical scores of 8-3. The three setbacks in the doubles round marked just the second time this season AU has been blanked heading into singles action.

Anderson bounced back quickly for its attempt at a comeback, as junior Karen Ching notched a 6-4, 6-4 win over Sarah Baker at the No. 1 position for her fourth straight singles victory. Freshman Rebecca Bruning continued the winning trend with a 6-2, 6-1 triumph over Kealee Heffner at the No. 3 spot. For the season, Bruning is now 3-1 in singles to begin her collegiate career.

After sophomore Nikkola Wichenko added a 6-3, 6-4 win over TC's Emily Waters at No. 6, senior Avery Owens posted her second straight singles victory on the season after opening the year 0-3 with a three-set (6-4, 4-6, 6-0) victory over Erin Mills at the No. 2 position.

With the match coming down to No. 4, sophomore Alexandra Ebner fell in three sets to Pioneer Kate Hutchinson, 6-4, 4-6, 7-5, clinching the Tusculum victory.

The setback marks the third straight season Anderson and Tusculum have played to a 5-4 match during the regular season, as the Trojans have been on the losing end in each of the last two campaigns. AU is now 2-2 against Tusculum for its four regular season matchups, but is 2-0 against the Pioneers in the SAC Tournament.

The Black and Gold returns to the courts on Saturday when they host Mars Hill in a SAC showdown. That match is set for 1 p.m.