LANCASTER, Pa. -- Down 4-0, fourth-sseded  Franklin & Marshall women's tennis battled back to tie, but ultimately fell 5-4 to fifth-seeded Washington in a Centennial Conference (CC) first round match on Wednesday afternoon. The Diplomats (7-7) got wins from the bottom four singles matches against the Shorewomen (11-6), but dropped the top pair in three sets to end their season.

The Diplomats found themselves in an early hole, as all three doubles matches finished 8-3 in favor of the Shorewomen. Washington added on to their lead, snagging a 6-0, 5-7, 6-0 win at #1 singles for a 4-0 edge.

F&M started on the comeback trail with Clara March Okuyama's 6-4, 6-1 win at #4. Mackenzie Sherman tagged on with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 win at #6, while Jenna Harrison's 6-2, 7-6 (7-5) win at #3 made it 4-3. Hayley Bidwell's straight set 6-4, 6-4 win at #5 put the sides in a 4-4 stalemate.

Sammi Perry was able to battle for a first set victory in a well-fought tiebreak, but was swept through the last two sets in a three set defeat.

Washington advances to face Johns Hopkins this weekend in the CC Championship semifinals to be held in Baltimore.

The Diplomats finish their season with a 7-7 record, their fifth straight year with at least a .500 record in a full slate.