Less than six points kept Monmouth from coming out of doubles play with a commanding lead in an 8-1 loss to St. Ambrose Thursday night. Instead, the Scots entered singles play trailing 2-1 and couldn't rebound despite a trio of close singles contests.
 
Rachael Leifheit and Alison Bowman stretched their doubles win streak to four with an 8-7 win over the Bees at No. 2. Emma Johanns and McKenzie DeVilder nearly followed suit at No. 1, but were felled 8-6. The No. 3 team of Emily Laughlin and Isabel Hammond also battled, but came up just short in an 8-5 loss.
 
Monmouth nearly gained ground in the lower part of the order in singles, but again came up just a few points shy. Leifheit battled through three sets at No. 3, winning the first set 6-4, but falling in Set 2, 6-3. SAU took the tiebreaker in a hard-fought 10-8 finale. Laughlin at No. 4 and Alison Bowman at No. 5 each fell in straight sets after being edged in their opening sets 7-5. Laughlin dropped her second set 6-1 and Bowman was defeated 6-4.
 
Johanns, DeVilder and Emily Henson each fell in straight sets at Nos. 1, 2 and 6, respectively.
 
The Scots host Blackburn for an 11 a.m. contest Saturday.