PITTSBURGH, Pa. - An historic 2023-24 campaign came to an end for Penn State Harrisburg's women's tennis team with a hard-fought 5-3 defeat at the hands of Transylvania in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament on the campus of Carnegie Mellon on Thursday morning, May 9.

At one point, the Lions (15-8) led in all three doubles matches but only the team of Olivia Bandini and Sophia Bandini emerged victorious with an 8-3 win in the No. 2 contest. Allison Wootton and Breanna DeSantis were edged 8-6 in the top match, while Anita Liu and Sarah Shaub suffered an 8-5 setback in the No. 3 outing. 

The singles action was just as competitive, with both Bandinis accounting for Penn State Harrisburg victories and their teammates turning in gutsy efforts. Olivia Bandini rolled to a 6-1, 6-0 win over Transylvania's Ally Rassenfross in the No. 2 showdown, while Sophia Bandini handled Maddy Williams 6-2, 6-2 in the No. 4 matchup.

Wootton fell 6-3, 6-2 in the top contest, DeSantis suffered a 7-6 (7-4), 6-1 setback in the No. 3 outing, and Hailey Dey was topped 6-4, 6-3 in the sixth matchup. Liu was ahead 6-2, 5-6 in the No. 5 pairing when the match was concluded. 

Penn State Harrisburg completed its season with a program-record 15 wins, a United East Championship, and the second NCAA Tournament appearance in program history.