Elena Mandzhukova won an incredible 14-12 final set to secure the victory Saturday afternoon against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps. (File photo by Phyllis Graber Jensen/Bates College)

CLAREMONT, Calif. - Senior Elena Mandzhukova battled long and hard to pick up the number one spot victory in singles competition, as Bates fell to number five ranked Claremont-Mudd-Scripps 8-1 Saturday in women's tennis action. Mandzhukova defeated junior Caroline Ward in three sets, 7-6, 2-6, and an incredible 14-12 third-set victory to bring home the Bobcats' lone point of the afternoon.

Sophomore Elizabeth Erbafina (Sudbury, Mass.) and first-year Maisie Silverman (Brunswick, Maine) each battled tough in the number two and three singles spots, though both eventually fell in straight sets 6-4, 6-4.

The Bobcats ended their West Coast trip with a 1-2 record, and will next return to action on March 8 when the team hosts Mount Holyoke College at 1:00 pm.

Claremont-Mudd-Scripps 8, Bates 1
Feb. 21, 2015 at Claremont, Calif.

Doubles

1. Katie Kuosman/Caroline Ward (CMS) def. Elena Mandzhukova/Elizabeth Erbafina (BATES) 8-4
2. Sarah Kukino/Kyla Scott (CMS) def. Maisie Silverman/Kelsey Pearson (BATES) 8-3
3. Lauren Livingston/Samantha Nuno (CMS) def. Emma Blakeley/Kate Rosenthal (BATES)  8-3

Singles

1. Elena Mandzhukova (BATES) def. Caroline Ward (CMS) 7-6, 2-6, 14-12   
2. Sarah Kukino (CMS) def. Elizabeth Erbafina (BATES)  6-4, 6-4
3. Katie Kuosman (CMS) def. Maisie Silverman (BATES) 6-4, 6-1
4. Kyla Scott (CMS) def. Kate Rosenthal (BATES) 6-3, 6-1
5. Bria Smith (CMS) def. Olivia Voccola (BATES) 6-0, 6-0
6. Lauren Livingston (CMS) def. Emma Blakeley (BATES) 6-2, 6-2