ATLANTA (01/25/07) ? The Georgia State women's tennis team fell one point shy of a victory 4-3 against South Carolina State on Thursday at the Bitsy Grant Tennis Center. All three points were scored in singles play for the Panthers as the teams tied 3-3, but S. C. State won the deciding doubles point.

The top three spots in singles for the Panthers were led by sophomore Dariana Kozmina (Kharkiv, Ukraine), sophomore Martina Nitkova (Vratimov, Czech Republic), and junior Rachel Malina (Decatur, Ga.), respectively. Kozmina and Nitkova needed the third set to win while Malina defeated SCSU's Gisel Brito in straight sets.

"It was a great match today with a lot of hard fought matches on both sides,” stated head coach Lisa Belcher. “This team beat us 6-1 last season and today we came up just a few points short of a win. I am really proud of the way we played and looking forward to upcoming matches."

The Panthers will return to action on Saturday in Greenville, S.C. against Furman. Matches are set to begin at 1:00 p.m.

Doubles

1. Cruz / Rodezno (SCSU) d. Kozmina / Nitkova (GSU) 9-7
2. Brito / Popac (SCSU) d. Malina Stahl-Johansson (GSU) 8-6
3. Lytkina / Anna Subenkova (SCSU) d. Brittany Smith / Podgorsek (GSU) 8-3

Singles

1. Dariana Kozmina (GSU) d. Mirian Cruz (SCSU) 6-4, 1-6, 7-5
2. Martina Nitkova (GSU) d. Marcela Rodnezno 5-7, 6-0, 6-2
3. Rachel Malina (GSU) d. Gisel Brito 6-4, 6-2
4. Vesna Popac (SCSU) d. Emma Stahl-Johansson (GSU) 0-6, 6-4, 6-3
5. Iveta Blodneice (SCSU) d. Mateja Podgorsek (GSU), 6-2, 6-3

6. Yana Lytkina (SCSU) d. Kiera Strickland (GSU) 4-6, 6-4, 7-5