Leah Ann Miller

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — The Wittenberg Tigers came up just short against one of the top teams each year in the Ohio Athletic Conference, falling 5-4 to visiting Ohio Northern.

The Tigers fell to 1-1 as they concluded the dual competition portion of their fall season. The match was the lone head-to-head competition for the Polar Bears this fall.

Wittenberg jumped out to a 2-1 lead through the doubles competition, but ONU rallied for four wins in the six singles matches. The match came down to No. 5 singles, where Ohio Northern's Christie Gates defeated Wittenberg senior Jackie Stevens (Columbus, Ohio/Watterson) in a tense three-set match.

Sophomore Leah Ann Miller (Springfield, Ohio/Catholic Central) was a winner at No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles with senior Anne Beauch (North Canton, Ohio/Massillon Jackson). Stevens teamed with freshman Georgia Bennett (Chillicothe, Ohio/Chillicothe) for the win at No. 3 doubles, while senior Maggie Stewart (Bay Village, Ohio/Magnificat) was a winner at No. 6 singles to account for the team's final point.