LaGrange, Ga. - The N.C. Wesleyan women's tennis team saw its 2017 season come to an end on Friday with a tightly-contested 5-4 loss to Covenant College in the semifinals of the USA South Conference Tournament.

As the East Division's #2 seed, the Bishops gave the West Division's #1 seed all they could handle. The Scots opened up a 2-1 lead in doubles, then went up 4-1 with straight-set wins at #1 and #3 singles. Wesleyan, however, got a three-set win from sophomore Stephany Barbera (6-1, 0-6, 6-2) at the #2 slot and a straight-set win from junior Ana Diaz at #4 (6-4, 6-4) to get as close at 4-3.

Unfortunately, Covenant was able to clinch with a victory by Jennie Speilman at #6 (7-6 [8-6], 6-2). Speilman's first set tiebreak win proved to be pivotal as NCWC senior Andrea Tobar followed with a win in straights at the #6 seed to provide the 5-4 final.

The Bishops had reached the semifinals after posting a 7-2 victory over Agnes Scott College in Thursday's opening round. Wesleyan opened up a 2-1 lead after doubles, while Barbera, Nicole Halabi, Diaz, Tobar, and Manuela Cano notched five singles victories.

At the conclusion of the tournament, Barbera was named to the All-Tournament team after posting a 2-0 record at #1 doubles and a 2-0 mark at #2 singles.

Wesleyan ends the season with a 9-7 overall mark, securing the program's third straight winning record.