WEXFORD, Pa. – The Penn State Altoona women's tennis team was defeated in its opening match of the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference Tournament on Saturday evening, suffering a 5-1 loss to Penn State Behrend at Oxford Athletic Club.

Penn State Altoona (4-8), the number three seed in the tournament, is eliminated from the playoffs with its loss. Meanwhile, second seed Behrend (8-5) advances to the AMCC championship match tomorrow against top-seeded Pitt-Greensburg.

Behrend recorded wins of 8-5 and 8-1 in the top two doubles matches to establish an early lead over Penn State Altoona in Saturday's match. The Lions picked up a point in the No. 3 doubles match, where the pair of Stephanie Swain (Yadkin County, NC/Forbush)/Isabella Rhoades (Tyrone, PA/Tyrone) posted an 8-2 victory for their team-leading eighth doubles win of the season together.

However, Behrend earned wins in the No. 3, No. 4, and No. 5 singles spots, ending the match once it came to decision at 5-1.

At the conclusion of the match, Penn State Altoona's Mikhaela Merca (Hummelstown, PA/Lower Dauphin) was named to the AMCC All-Tournament team.

While the fall season is now complete for the Penn State Altoona women's tennis team, the Lions will return to action with several non-conference, regular season matches during the spring semester. Currently, the team's next scheduled match is at home against Geneva College on Saturday, April 15 at 12:30 p.m.