AZUSA, Calif. – A top 10 match-up that was close throughout, tipped in the wrong direction.

In a contest that could have gone either way, Academy of Art got the necessary wins in tallying a 6-3 victory against Azusa Pacific.

The win lifts No. 6 Academy of Art to 8-3 while the ninth-ranked Cougars fall to 10-4.

DOUBLES – The two-time West Region doubles champions duo of Alma and Klara Thell-Lenntorp put the Urban Knights in front early with an 8-0 win at the top position. Kara Hinton and Toby Micat were quick to respond as they won 8-3 just a few moments later.

Azusa Pacific had an opportunity to take lead after doubles but a critical contest went the Urban Knights way. The Cougars held a 4-2 lead early in the No. 3 match but Monika Stanikova and Paula Alcantara rallied to post an 8-5 victory.

SINGLES – Alma Thell-Lenntorp was quick off the courts in singles as well as she notched a straight sets (6-1, 6-2) win at the No. 5 match. The Cougars needed to reel off wins and it started when Petra Ivankovic posted a 6-0, 7-5 triumph at the No. 2 slot.

With Academy of Art leading 3-2 in the team match, the final matches on the courts could have gone either way. The Urban Knights won the next completed contest as Paula Alcantara won 6-3, 6-4 at the No. 6 slot.

Diana Baumgartnere rallied from a first set loss to keep things close with a 2-6, 6-1, 6-3 victory in the No. 3 spot. However, that was the last win for the Cougar. Academy of Art sealed the win as Taisiia Andreieva won 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 at the fifth position.

The last match on the courts also went to the Urban Knights as Monika Stanikova cameback from a first set loss to post a 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 victory in the top match-up.

UP NEXT – The Cougars host NCAA Division III foe Williams College on Monday at 1:30 p.m.