Fredericksburg, VA... The College of New Jersey women's tennis team's bid to advance to the NCAA Division III quarterfinals came up one point short as 10th-ranked Carnegie Mellon University edged the Lions 5-4 on Sunday in a match played at the University of Mary Washington.

The loss snapped TCNJ's modest winning streak as the 16th-ranked Lions finish another successful season with a record of 16-5.

The Tartans improved to 15-7 with the win.

The match came down to first singles as senior Jackie Shtemberg (Franklin Lakes, NJ/Ramapo) and Carnegie Mellon's Laura Chen locked up a classic match. Shtemberg struck first winning the first set 6-3, but Chen bounced back for a 7-5 win in the second forcing the third and deciding set. Chen then held off Shtemberg 6-3 in that final frame.

The Tartans opened up a 2-1 following doubles play as the Lion duo of sophomore Emily Petersack (Mercerville, NJ/Notre Dame) and freshman Lauren Balsamo (Wall Twp., NJ/Wall) earned an 8-5 victory.

The Lions then pulled even at 4-4 getting three victories setting up the decisive finish as freshman Karisse Bendijo (Egg Harbor Twp., NJ/Egg Harbor Twp.) won 6-3, 6-4 at third singles, Balsamo posted a 7-6, 7-5 triumph in the fifth spot, and senior Stefanie Haar (Morganville, NJ/Marlboro) dominated 6-2, 6-1 in the sixth position.

Shtemberg season is not quite complete as she will compete in the singles and doubles portion of the NCAA Tournament on May 28-30 in at the same location the team competed at this weekend. She will be joined in the doubles tournament by sophomore Felice Trinh (Linden, NJ/Linden).

#10 Carnegie Mellon University 5, #16 The College of New Jersey 4
Singles competition
1. Laura Chen (CMUW) def. Jackie Shtemberg (TCNJWOM) 3-6, 7-5, 6-3
2. Courtney Chin (CMUW) def. Felice Trinh (TCNJWOM) 6-1, 6-1
3. Karisse Bendijo (TCNJWOM) def. Alexandra Tapak (CMUW) 6-3, 6-4
4. Cze-Ja Tam (CMUW) def. Allison Tierney (TCNJWOM) 6-4, 6-3
5. Lauren Balsamo (TCNJWOM) def. Jennifer Chui (CMUW) 7-6, 7-5
6. Stefanie Haar (TCNJWOM) def. Ashley Herrick (CMUW) 6-2, 6-1

Doubles competition
1. Laura Chen/Ashley Herrick (CMUW) def. Jackie Shtemberg/Felice Trinh (TCNJWOM) 9-8
2. Courtney Chin/Alexandra Tapak (CMUW) def. Karisse Bendijo/Allison Tierney (TCNJWOM) 8-1
3. Lauren Balsamo/Emily Petersack (TCNJWOM) def. Jennifer Chui/Cze-Ja Tam (CMUW) 8-5

NCAA Division III Women's Tennis Tournament Third Round