Williamstown, MA… The College of New Jersey women's tennis team dropped its second straight match to a highly-ranked opponent as the Lions battled Middlebury College before falling 6-3 in a match held at Williams College on Sunday.

The Lions (12-4) entered the match holding down a 23rd ranking in the latest ITA Division III poll, while the Panthers (9-1) are 15th.

TCNJ split the six singles matches, but Middlebury claimed all three points in doubles action to secure the win.

Senior Jackie Shtemberg (Franklin Lakes, NJ/Ramapo) picked up a 6-3, 6-1 win at first singles with that win giving her 20 on the season marking the third time in her career she has accomplished that feat.

At third singles, freshman Karisse Bendijo (Egg Harbor Twp., NJ/Egg Harbor Twp.) won in three sets by the scores of 6-3, 4-6, 10-8. Freshman Lauren Balsamo (Wall Twp., NJ/Wall) accounted for TCNJ's other win as she posted a 7-5, 2-6, 10-5 victory at fifth singles.

The Lions have the week off returning to action on Sunday, April 18 at home facing Muhlenberg College in a 1 p.m. start.

#15 Middlebury College 6, #23 The College of New Jersey 3
Singles competition
1. Jackie Shtemberg (TCNJWOM) def. Victoria Aiello (MIDBURY) 6-3, 6-1
2. Alexandra McAtee (MIDBURY) def. Felice Trinh (TCNJWOM) 6-1, 6-2
3. Karisse Bendijo (TCNJWOM) def. Jamie Haar (MIDBURY) 6-3, 4-6, 10-8
4. Leah Kepping (MIDBURY) def. Allison Tierney (TCNJWOM) 6-3, 6-1
5. Lauren Balsamo (TCNJWOM) def. Anna Burke (MIDBURY) 7-5, 2-6, 10-5
6. Sally Wilkey (MIDBURY) def. Paige Aiello (TCNJWOM) 6-3, 6-1

Doubles competition
1. Victoria Aiello/Anna Burke (MIDBURY) def. Jackie Shtemberg/Felice Trinh (TCNJWOM) 8-2
2. Leah Kepping/Brittney Faber (MIDBURY) def. Allison Tierney/Karisse Bendijo (TCNJWOM) 8-4
3. Hilary Cunningham/Sally Wilkey (MIDBURY) def. Emily Petersack/Lauren Balsamo (TCNJWOM) 8-4