ATLANTA (Jan. 24, 2009)  The Georgia State women's tennis team opened its spring campaign with a 7-0 win over visiting Georgia Southern this afternoon.  The Panthers swept the doubles and singles matches en route to a 1-0 start for the season. Georgia State also improves to 8-1 over Georgia Southern since 1988.

"Our goal for this weekend was to get the season started on a high note and we accomplished that goal," said head coach Miha Lisac.  "The circumstances for play were far from perfect - we had a two-hour rain delay and colder weather towards the end of the match, but we stayed focused on the task at hand and finished the match well."

Early morning rain showers soaked the courts at the Sharon Lester Tennis Center, resulting in a two-hour delay and a 3 p.m. start time.  Georgia State started off strong with, winning all three doubles matches.  Senior Martina Nitkova and Sophomore Katerina Gresova defeated Kristi Kegerreis and Molly Maddox, 8-1, at No. 1.  Seniors Kiara Powell and Dariana Kozmina secured the doubles point for the Panthers with an 8-1 victory over Christine Caforio and Melanie Rolle at No. 2.  Freshmen Diana Nakic and Linda Hricistova collected the final doubles win for the Georgia State with an 8-1 decision over Ali Beavers and Shea Huxtable.

The Panthers earned the first win of the season with three singles matches.  Nitkova earned the first singles win at No. 2, defeating Beavers 6-0, 6-0.  Kozmina extended the Panthers lead to 3 with a 6-1, 6-1 victory against Maddox at No. 3.  Nakic (No. 21, ITA South) sealed the Panthers' win at No.1,  battling Kegerreis to a 6-2, 6-0 score.

At No. 5, Powell defeated Huxtable 6-3, 6-1 and Ondrackova battled to the wire with Emma Knight at No. 6, winning 7-6(4), 6-2.  Gresova rounded out singles competition with a 7-5, 3-6, 10-7 win against Fuller at No. 4.

"I am satisfied with the way we opened the season this and last weekend. As a team we are definitely on the right track to a accomplish our goals for this season," said Lisac.  "Now we have a lot of work to do to get ready for this coming weekend. We will face Tulane and Alabama in Tuscaloosa- two tough challenges that will provide opportunities for us to grow as a team."

Georgia State continues its spring campaign on Saturday, Jan. 31, traveling to Tuscaloosa, Ala. for a 2 p.m. match-up against Tulane.

Check GeorgiaStateSports.com for updates.

Results

Doubles

1.  Martina Nitkova/Katerina Gresova (GAST) def. Kristi Kegerreis/Molly Maddox (GSU) 8-1

2.  Kiara Powell/Dariana Kozmina (GAST) def. Christine Caforio/Melanie Rolle (GSU) 8-1

3.  Diana Nakic/Linda Hricistova (GAST) def. Ali Beavers/Shea Huxtable (GSU) 8-1

(Order of finish, 1, 3, 2)

Singles

1. Diana Nakic (GAST) def. Kristi Kegerreis (GSU) 6-2, 6-0
2. Martina Nitkova (GAST) def. Ali Beavers (GSU) 6-0, 6-0
3. Dariana Kozmina (GAST) def. Molly Maddox (GSU) 6-1, 6-1
4. Katerina Gresova (GAST) def. Jessica Fuller (GSU) 7-5, 3-6, 10-7
5. Kiara Powell (GAST) def. Shea Huxtable (GSU) 6-3, 6-1
6. Martina Ondrackova (GAST) def. Emma Knight (GSU) 7-6(4), 6-2