It took the sixth and final singles match to decide a nail-biting 5-4 loss as the St. Thomas women’s tennis team fell to St. Olaf at Lifetime Fitness in Fridley Friday.

The Tommies jumped out to a 2-1 lead in doubles play but St. Olaf battled back to win four singles matches and get the victory.

After St. Olaf won three of the first five singles matches, the teams were tied heading into the sixth singles match. Freshman Mary Ellen took the match into a third-set tiebreaker before St. Olaf finally claimed victory.

Head coach Terry Peck described the match as “a long, tough battle.”

Both teams were undefeated in MIAC play coming into the meet. The Tommies four game winning streak was snapped while St. Olaf extended its winning streak to four. St. Olaf is now tied with Carleton atop the MIAC standings.

The Tommies next match is March 15 at St. Mary’s.

Brent Fischer can be reached at bafischer@stthomas.edu