LEXINGTON, KY. – Battling perennial Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference top half finisher Transylvania University at every turn on TU's courts Saturday, Oct. 8, Coach Eric Christiansen's squad recorded a big dual win to close the 2016 fall regular season.

The Spartans, increasing their record to 5-6 overall and 5-3 in the conference, topped the Pioneers 5-4 in a match-up that went down to the wire. Straight-set singles wins from juniors Erin Cordill (Zionsville, Ind.) and Mariam Aly (Giza, Egypt) as well as senior Alaina Beckner (Columbia City, Ind.) proved the difference after the home team won two of three in doubles' play.

"When I look at what we've accomplished, I think the biggest key is an experienced, veteran team," Christiansen noted in the wake of the program's first win over TU since 2007 and its best loop finish, tying for third with Franklin College, since 2008. "Five of our top six are returning starters, and it's been important having Mariam cracking our top two, as that's allowed us to keep things stronger from three through six.

We've been hovering near the middle of the pack for the past several seasons, so this is a big step forward," he added. "We're hoping this kind of situation helps us look at even bigger things."

MU takes the fourth seed into next weekend's conference tournament. Pairings are scheduled to be announced over the weekend.