This post was written by Hatchet reporter Nora Princiotti.

The sixth-seeded Colonials rallied hard after falling behind 1-3, but the third-seeded Minutewomen ultimately closed the door on GW’s season, 4-2, Friday in the quarterfinals of the 2013 Atlantic 10 Women’s Tennis Championship.

After sweeping doubles play, Massachusetts held an early lead over GW. Now down 1-3, junior Leah Pascarella and freshman Lana Robins tried to start a Colonials’ comeback, each forcing extra sets after dropping the first set. Pascarella completed her comeback and defeated Sonia Bokhari 4-6, 6-2, 6-4.

Robins was going strong in her third set against Yuliana Motyl, leading by 5-0, but a UMass victory in the No. 4 spot, clinched a semifinals bid for the Minutewomen. GW’s only other point came by way of freshman Christina Carpenter’s 7-6, 6-2 victory over the Minutewomen’s Chantal Swiszcz in the No. 6 singles.

Despite the season-ending loss, head coach Dawn Buth was proud of her team’s perseverance.

“UMass is well-coached and has played consistently strong doubles this year, but our mental toughness in the singles nearly clinched the match for us,” Buth said.  “Christie and Leah dug down deep with wins at No.1 and No.6 while Lana was up 5-0 in the third set at the No. 2 position.”

The Colonials closed the season with an overall record of 11-8. GW is set to return six of this years players next year, losing only graduating seniors Mimi Hamling and Dorota Lysenia.

“I’m very proud of the way our team competed throughout the season and also the way they represented GW,” Buth said. “We are very proud of who this team is and what they have accomplished this year. We’re also very proud of our seniors, Mimi and Dorota, for their leadership and for all they’ve give to GW and to the team in their four years.”