Shorthanded Wichita State fell 4-3 to visiting Cincinnati on Thursday afternoon at the Sheldon Coleman Tennis Complex.
 
Playing with just five active players, the Shockers (6-9) nearly pulled off the improbable, rallying from a 3-0 deficit to tie the match at 3-3.
 
Natsumi Kurahashi and Lingwei Kong swept their singles matches on courts 1 and 2, and Jessie Zheng came from behind to take a three-setter at No. 3.
 
The Bearcats (11-3 and winners of 10-straight duals) salvaged the dual with a comeback of their own on court 4, where Maria Santilli overcame Harriet Hamilton, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2.
 
"It was a hard-fought match," WSU head coach Colin Foster said. "Obviously, with only five healthy players, we're at a disadvantage, but no one is allowing that to be an excuse. Our focus is to remain positive and play with no fear, and we did that today. We were down 3-0 pretty quickly and got it all the way back to 3-3. Even down 5-0 in the third Harriet was playing with belief and energy and had points to get it to 3-5 and really put some pressure on the opponent. She just came up a bit short."
 
The Shockers are home again at Noon Friday against another American Athletic Conference rival, the South Florida Bulls. The match will likely move indoors at the Wichita Country Club, due to cold and windy conditions in the Wichita area. Check @GoShockersWTEN on Twitter for official word.
 

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Cincinnati 4, Wichita State 3
Thursday, Mar. 17, 2022 | 10 a.m. CT
Wichita, Kan. | Sheldon Coleman Tennis Complex
 
Singles Competition:
1. Natsumi Kurahashi (WICH) def. Elizabeth Pendergast (CIN) -- 6-0, 6-2
2. LingWei Kong (WICH) def. Ioana Guna (CIN) -- 6-3, 6-1
3. Jessie Zheng (WICH) def. Cassie McLay (CIN) -- 6-7 (4-7), 6-3, 6-0
4. Maria Santilli (CIN) def. Harriet Hamilton (WICH) -- 5-7, 6-1, 6-2
5. Emma Miceli (CIN) def. Clara Whitaker (WICH) -- 6-0, 6-0
6. Kelli Niehaus (CIN) won by default
 
Doubles competition:
1. Zheng/Kurahashi (WICH) led McLay/Pendergast (CIN) -- 5-2, unfinished
2. Guna/Miceli (CIN) def. Kong/Hamilton (WICH) -- 6-2
3. Cincinnati won by default
 
Match Notes:
Cincinnati 11-3
Wichita State 6-9
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2); Singles (6,5,1,2,3,4)