FLORENCE, SC – Buoyed by a comeback victory at No. 3 doubles, 10th-ranked Columbus State University defeated 14th-ranked Georgia College & State University 5-1, Thursday afternoon (May 8) in a first-round match of the NCAA Division II Women’s Tennis National Tournament.

The Cougars up their record to 20-7 with their third win over the Bobcats (15-9) this season.  CSU advances to face host Francis Marion University in a second-round match on Friday at 10 a.m. on the Patriots’ John Kassab Courts.  Friday’s winner advances to the national finals (Sweet 16), May 14-17 in Houston, Texas.

After Columbus State earned wins at the first two doubles spots, the Cougars’ Erin Reynolds and Daniela Castillo rallied from down 6-3 to win 8-6 at the No. 3 doubles position.

GCSU pulled to within 3-1 with a straight sets win (6-4, 6-3) by Bertille Lion at No. 6 singles.  However, CSU’s Roxana Dondera, ranked 38th nationally, won 7-5, 6-2 at No. 2 singles and Gabriela Vasilescu won 7-6 (8-6), 6-2 at the No. 3 spot.

Three of the six opening sets in singles play went to a tiebreaker, while two others finished with 7-5 decisions.
 

Columbus State head coach Evan Isaacs:

“We were lucky to win.  Georgia College played today the best they have against us in three meetings this season.  The first sets in all singles matches could have gone either way.  My hat is off to them.

“I am most proud of my squad in that we competed very well.  They did not underestimate GCSU, and although we didn’t play our best, we played well enough to win.”

Georgia College & State University coach Steve Barsby:

“One thing you worry about when you fall down 3-0 is that the players scoreboard watch.  We didn’t do that today.  The ladies came out in singles and played well and battled.  I am proud of the way we played today against a Columbus State team that played well.”

 
NCAA II Women's Tennis 1st-round National Tournament match (Mid-Atlantic Region)
Women’s Tennis Match Results
Georgia College & State Univ. vs Columbus State University
May 08, 2008 at Florence, SC

#10 Columbus State University 5, #14 Georgia College & State Univ. 1

Singles competition
1. #20 Agata Polcyn (CSU) vs. #43 Celine Martin (GCSU) 7-6 (7-3), 5-1, unfinished
2. #38 Roxana Dondera (CSU) def. Marjorie Ceppo (GCSU) 7-5, 6-2
3. Gabriela Vasilescu (CSU) def. Diane Danna (GCSU) 7-6 (8-6), 6-2
4. Daniela Castillo (CSU) vs. Marie LeFevre (GCSU) 7-5, 1-3, unfinished
5. Lindsey Groenewald (CSU) vs. Sofia Intriago (GCSU) 6-7 (5-7), 3-2, unfinished
6. Bertille Lion (GCSU) def. Erin Reynolds (CSU) 6-4, 6-3
Doubles competition
1. #19 Agata Polcyn/Lindsey Groenewald (CSU) def. #14 Marjorie Ceppo/Celine Martin (GCSU) 8-2
2. Roxana Dondera/Gabriela Vasilescu (CSU) def. Diane Danna/Sofia Intriago (GCSU) 8-3
3. Erin Reynolds/Daniela Castillo (CSU) def. Marie LeFevre/Bertille Lion (GCSU) 8-6

Match Notes:
Georgia College & State Univ. 15-9; National ranking #14; Regional ranking #5
Columbus State University 20-7; National ranking #10; Regional ranking #3
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (6,2,3)
NCAA II Women's Tennis 1st-round National Tournament match (Mid-Atlantic Region)
Official: Don Dobbins  T-3:20  A-25