ATLANTA (Mar. 21, 2008) The Georgia State women's tennis team earned its sixth win of the season, defeating UAB 6-1 at Piedmont Tennis Center Friday afternoon.

"This is a big win for us," said head coach Miha Lisac. "Even though the season hasn't been what we set out for it to be, they haven't given up and they just keep on working. Today's win illustrates the work ethic and productivity each player has put into practice and I think if we continue to play this way, we will start to see things look up for us."

The Panthers (6-9) claimed the doubles point to take an early 1-0 lead. First off the courts, State's Martina Nitkova and Katerina Gresova topped Atonia Nugent and Evelien Strijker, 8-2 on court 1. Georgia State clinched the doubles point after Rachel Malina and Kiera Strickland defeated Jenny Cape and Seden Soyalp 8-4 on court 3. Dariana Kozmina and Kiara Powell finished strong with an 8-1 win over Gulsah Esen and Giorgia Romeo on court 2.

Powell gave State a 2-0 lead as she cruised past Cape 6-1, 6-2 at the No. 4 position, to open singles play. Kozmina followed, defeating Esen 6-4, 6-3 at the No. 2 position to give the Panthers a 3-0 lead. UAB's Engin gave the Blazers their only point as she battled to a 6-3, 7-6 (6) victory over Strickland at No. 6. The Panthers continued to battle with both Gresova and Malina winning their singles matches. Nitkova finished the day for the Panthers, defeating Strijker 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 in a tough battle, to give State the 6-1 victory. UAB falls to 7-3 on the season.

"Today was a great team effort- each player played all out from start to finish," said Lisac. "We are learning what it takes to be a team at a high level and how to practice at a high level and we are also seeing where hard work can take us."

The women's tennis team hits the courts again on Wednesday, March 26, hosting Elon at 1 p.m. at Piedmont Tennis Center.

Doubles
1. Martina Nitkova/Katerina Gresova def. Antonia Nugent/Evelien Strijker 8-2
2. Dariana Kozmina/Kiara Powell def. Gulsah Esen/Giorgia Romeo 8-1
3. Rachel Malina/Kiera Strickland def. Jenny Cape/Seden Soyalp 8-4

Singles
1. Martina Nitkova def. Evelien Strijker 4-6, 6-2, 6-2
2. Dariana Kozmina def. Gulsah Esen 6-4, 6-3
3. Rachel Malina def. Antonia Nugent 7-6 (6), 7-5
4. Kiara Powell def. Jenny Cape 6-1, 6-2
5. Katerina Gresova def. Giorgia Romeo 6-3, 7-5
6. Ceylan Engin def. Kiera Strickland 6-3, 7-6 (4)