ANDERSON, Ind. -- The Trine University women's tennis team dropped their first dual match of the season with a 5-4 loss to Anderson (Ind.) University.

The Thunder took the early lead on the back of a tight victory in the No. 3 doubles match. Seniors Ashley Spirrison (Fishers, Ind. / Hamilton Southeastern) and Ellie Cole (Albion, Ind. / Central Noble) took the No. 1 doubles match 8-3 for the first point of the match. Then in the No. 3 match junior Eva Morales (Elkhart, Ind. / Elkhart Memorial) and freshman Lizzie Welker (Maumee, Ohio / Springfield) took down the opposition in a grueling match by the score of 8-7 (7-2).

Trine would go on to take two of the singles matches but failed to get a third to earn the victory falling in the match 5-4. Spirrison took the No. 1 match 6-0, 6-0 and Cole took the No. 5 match 6-1, 6-1.

The Thunder fall to 4-1 following the loss. Members of the team will take the courts again starting on Friday, Sept. 24 when they travel to the ITA Regional Championships in Kalamazoo, Mich. The team's next dual match will take place at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 28.