NEW YORK, N.Y.- Bianca Compuesto won her match at No. 4 singles and the duo of Valentina Dancenco and Sofiya Kuzina won their No. 1 doubles match, but the Long Island University women's tennis team fell to Columbia, 6-1 in the first dual match of the spring season.
  
In doubles action, the Lions earned the point, however the Sharks played great doubles all around. At No. 1 doubles, Dancenco/Kuzina defeated Akanksha Bhan/Paulina Ferrari, 6-2. At No. 2 doubles, Elinor Storkaas/Bianca Compuesto came back from being down 2-5 to a match point, but fell in a tight tie break 6-7. 5-7.
 
The Sharks battled a tough Columbia line up in singles and avoided the sweep as Compuesto defeated Chirstie Wan 7-6, 6-4 at No. 4 singles. Victoria Erechtchenko contended with her opponent at No. 5 singles, as she was up 5-4 in the first set, but lost 5-7 and fell short in the second set 3-6.
 
"All things considered, I am happy with our performance today. We were very close to clinching the doubles point and then played some good competitive tennis in singles," said head coach Jan Griga. "We knew that going against Columbia is always going to be tough, especially this early in the season, but we fought hard and used this match as an opportunity to see where we are and what we need to do to thoroughly prepare for the season ahead."
 
LIU will continue non-conference play, taking on local rival Hofstra at Sportime Bethpage, on Friday, February 7. Match time is slated for 6:00 p.m.