In the University Athletic Association Tourament at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, the No. 28 women's tennis team finished sixth after losing to Washington University in St. Louis 6-1 in the fifth-place matchup.The Judges, who were ranked sixth in the tournament, began the match with an 8-5 win from the first doubles team of Rachel Rosman '11 and Faith Broderick '11.

The squad, however, failed to take any more points from the Bears for the rest of match. Sarah Richman '12 and Mackenzie Gallegos '11 fell 8-4 at second doubles, while Nina Levine '12 and Ariana Sanai '10 fell 8-5 at third doubles.

In singles action, Sanai, Gallegos and Richman fell in straight sets to their WashU opponents at third, fourth and sixth singles, respectively. The closest match of singles play was Rosman's match at first singles. Freshman Kate Klein won the match 6-5, 6-2.

Broderick's match at second singles and Levine's match at fifth singles were both called before completion.

Coach Ben Lamanna was pleased with the result of the tournament but knows the women have more to bring to the table.

"I think the girls are not satisfied by sixth place at the tournament and still have a little more to prove," said Lamanna. "Senior day will be fun. It will be the last opportunity to see Ariana compete for us."

Before the loss to WashU, the Judges defeated host Case 5-3.

In doubles play, Rosman and Broderick teamed up once again at first doubles and fended off three match points and a close tiebreaker set to win the match 9-8 (7-5) over Spartan freshmen Emily Pham and Erika Lim. Gallegos and Richman also teamed up again at second doubles but fell 8-5. At third doubles, Levine and Sanai teamed up in another tiebreaker match to win 9-8 (7-3).

At first singles, Rosman defeated Spartan freshman Samantha Lewis in straight sets to become Brandeis' only double winner of the match. Gallegos put the Judges up 4-1 with her 6-3, 6-1 win at fourth singles.

The Spartans, refusing to give up, managed to close the gap to 4-3 with a pair of close three-set wins. Broderick, despite taking the first set 6-2, was defeated at second singles in a comeback win from Lim. At third single, Pham defeated Sanai 4-6, 6-2, 6-0.

Even in the face of her loss, Coach Lamanna noted Sanai's superb leadership.

"Ariana is kind of beaten up with a hurt shoulder, but she showed a lot of heart," said Lamanna. "She's a great leader, always fighting hard and expecting her teammates to follow her lead."

With just the bottom of the Judges' lineup left, Levine and Richman looked to clinch the match for Brandeis at fifth and sixth singles. Richman, who earlier this season had clinched a match against the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, continued her clutch performance for the Judges by taking her match 6-3, 6-4.

To start the tournament, the team lost to Carnegie Mellon University 5-0 in a match that was stopped due to inclement weather.

The Judges dropped all three doubles matches. Rosman and Broderick, who teamed up at first doubles, fell 8-5 to their opponents. Gallegos and Richman fell 8-3 at second doubles, while Levine and Sanai could only manage two games against Carnegie Mellon at third doubles.

"It's incredibly hard to break that momentum," said Lamanna, of being down 3-0 after doubles. "It takes something special to win that kind of match. We can't do it to ourselves."

In singles play, sophomore Laura Chen defeated Rosman at first singles by a score of 6-0, 6-2. Gallegos, facing Tartan sophomore Cze-Ja Tam at fourth doubles, managed only four games in a losing effort that clinched the match for Carnegie Mellon. The Judges left four matches unfinished, but at second singles, Broderick looked to be heading toward a match win with the score 6-4, 5-4 in her favor before being called.

Against Tufts University on Tuesday, the team lost 9-0. In doubles, Rosman and Broderick fell at first doubles. Richman and Gallegos failed to win a game at second doubles, and Levine and Sanai managed to win two games in a losing effort at third doubles.

In singles action, the Judges failed to take a single set from the Jumbos.

The women will face Trinity College (Conn.) in their season finale at the Reiger Tennis courts on April 24.