The Lancaster Bible College women's tennis team took to the road for the first time this season on Thursday and even that couldn't break the trend of losing close matches. The Chargers, for the third straight match, lost 5-4 to Penn State-Harrisburg (1-0) in Middletown, Pa.

LBC (0-3) lost all three of the doubles matches and the first singles match before mounting a comeback, making it 4-3 at one point, before losing 5-4. Junior Roxy Ghaziaskar, playing at number two in singles, improved her singles record to 3-0 on the year defeating Jess Kamp 6-0, 6-1. Not to be outdone, freshman Kayla Scott also improved her singles record to 3-0 by defeating Krystal Miranda 6-3, 6-4.

"Roxy and Kayla continue to be on a roll," Head Coach Zach Freeman said. "I have moved Roxy up every single match and each time she has responded with a win. Kayla has stayed at number six, but it is a perfect fit for the type of game she plays."

Junior Carolyn Kensinger picked up her first win of the season, beating Caitlin Royer 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4). Despite knowing that LBC couldn't win the overall match, Kensinger fought hard for every point and mounted several comebacks in the second and third sets.

"Carolyn and I talked about her getting her swagger back after her first two matches this year and she did that today," Freeman said. "I'm excited to see how she responds the rest of the season after today's win."

Junior Kelsey Scott won her second singles match of the year, improving to 2-1, by  sweeping Meghin Moore 6-3, 7-6 (7-4). Freshman Bri Funk played at number one singles for the first time this season and responded well to the challenge. Though she lost in straight sets, Funk proved that she is ready to take the next step and play number one.

"Bri did a great job today," Freeman said. "I told her during pre-season that I wanted her to play number one eventually and I think she is going to continue to grow into that role."

Despite dopping the first set 6-2, sophomore Michelle Ringler battled back several times during her second set before losing 7-5 to Jess Karl.

The doubles team of Ashley Bell and Becky Griffes lost their first match of the season on Thursday, falling to Moore and Miranda 8-4.

Even though the Chargers have yet to win a match, all three could have been wins and there have been improvements by each player, every match.

"The fact is we have improved our score from the previous season in each match," Freeman said. "Penn State-Harrisburg crushed us 9-0 last season and to come here and battle them all afternoon and into the night, that says a lot. We are so close to ending up on the other end of a 5-4 match."

The Chargers return to action on Saturday when they travel to Union, NJ to take on Kean University at 1:00 p.m.