Clayton State Upsets CSU Women in PBC Semifinal

Jonesboro, Ga. -- Fifth-ranked Columbus State fell behind in doubles and could not recover as #12 Clayton State pulled off a 5-3 upset of the Lady Cougars in the Peach Belt Conference Tournament semifinal on Saturday. CSU will now await word on whether it will host or travel for NCAA regional play.

Clayton State got the early momentum by winning two of three doubles matches and doing so in rather dominating fashion. Loriane Favoretto and Hanane Toumi fell 8-2 to Ivana Krommelova and Viktoriya Semyrodenko at the number one spot, while Tracy Castillo and Caterina Kiefer fell 8-4 to Marie Cercelletti and Katie White. The Lady Cougars' only win came as Gabriela Vasilescu and Sofia Persson defeated Jessica Budd and Evelin Csizi 8-2.

CSU got singles wins from Kiefer at number five and Vasilescu at number six, but Clayton State took wins at numbers two, three and four to seal the win.

The Lakers will face defending PBC and national champion Armstrong Atlantic State on Sunday at 10 a.m. in the PBC championship match.

CLAYTON STATE 5, COLUMBUS STATE 3

Singles:
1. Katie White (CLS) vs. Lorianne Favoretto, unfinished
2. Viktoriya Semyrodenko (CLS) d. Tracy Castillo 6-1, 6-0
3. Ivana Krommelova (CLS) d. Hanane Toumi 7-6 (7-2), 6-1
4. Marie Cercelletti (CLS) d. Sofia Persson 6-1, 6-3
5. Caterina Kiefer (CS) d. Evelin Csizi 1-6, 6-0, 6-3
6. Gabriela Vasilescu (CS) d. Jessica Budd 6-4, 6-2

Doubles:
1. Krommelova/Semyrodenko (CLS) d. Favoretto/Toumi 8-2
2. Cercelletti/White (CLS) d. Castillo/Keifer 8-4
3. Vasilescu/Persson (CS) d. Budd/Csizi 8-2