WARSAW, IND./TERRE HAUTE, IND. – Manchester University battled perennial Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference power Rose-Hulman to the wire Sunday, Oct. 2, wrapping up a home and away weekend.

The Spartans, looking to kept themselves entrenched in the league's top three, claimed a win at number two doubles with the junior tandem of Katy Ashpole (Leesburg, Ind.) and Katie Peden (North Manchester, Ind.) claiming an 8-4 victory and then came back for singles decisions from junior Erin Cordill (Zionsville, Ind.) and Ashpole at number one and four. Coach Eric Christiansen's crew was close to overturning the 6-3 loss at the hands of the Fightin' Engineers, as they dropped a superbreaker at number five singles and took the number three doubles' match to an 8-5 final.

MU's weekend opened with a 9-0 loss at the hands of loop-leading Hanover Saturday, Oct. 1. Christiansen and team paid tribute to the Class of 2017 honoring Alaina Beckner (Columbia City, Ind.), Adriana Brown (Columbia City, Ind.) and Cassy Dibley (Elkhart, Ind.) prior to the dual's start. Beckner compiled one of the highlights picking up four game decisions in the second set at number four singles, while junior Mariam Aly (Giza, Egypt) nearly took a set win at number two, falling 7-5, 6-3.

The Black and Gold (4-6 overall, 4-3 HCAC) close out the regular season Saturday, Oct. 8. They travel to Transylvania University for an 11 a.m. start.