Chesterfield, Mo. – The Washington University in St. Louis women's tennis team opened its spring slate with a 5-4 win over Division II Lindenwood on Saturday evening.

The Bears opened the match with two wins in doubles, to go up 2-1.

Sophomore Karen Gao and first-year Ainsley Heidbreder defeated Natalie Cordero and Fernanda Poblete at first doubles, 8-6, for the first point of the match. Senior Divya Sharma and first-year Carolyn Tsung followed up with an 8-4 win at third doubles over Lindenwood's Minna Kahn and Eveline Nillson.

The duo of sophomore Katherine Johnston and senior Hannah Johnston, at second doubles, fell to the Lions' Claire Martin and Jordan Le, 8-4.

In singles action, Gao defeated Poblete, 7-5, 6-2, at first singles, to give the Bears a 3-1 edge over Lindenwood.

The Lions then evened the score with wins at second and fourth singles, tying the match 3-3.

Sharma fell to Martin 6-4, 6-2, at second singles while Heidbreder was downed by Cordero at fourth singles, 6-3, 7-6 (6).

Another win for Lindenwood at sixth singles gave the Lions the 4-3 edge in the match. Junior Anke Patel was topped by Paula Sostres Pico, 6-2, 6-3.

The Bears pulled even, 3-3, with a win at third singles and Sophia Huynh defeated Trang Tran, 6-2, 4-6, 6-1.

The match-clincher came from Hannah Johnston at fifth singles. After falling 6-2 in the first set to Kahn, Johnston came back to win the second set 6-4 and the third 6-1, to give the Bears the victory.

WashU returns to action next Saturday with a 6 p.m. match against Southwest Baptist at Woodsmill Tennis Club in Chesterfield, Mo.