Norfolk, Va. – The Georgia State women's tennis team (6-11) earned a trip to the semifinals of the conference tournament by defeating James Madison, 4-1, on Thursday morning at the Folks-Stevens Tennis Center.

Sophomore Diana Nakic, ranked No. 25 nationally, continued her perfect season with a straight sets victory over Katerine Bulling, at No. 1 singles. Nakic is now 17-0 on the season and has tied the school record for wins in a season with Lisa Teer, who set the record back in 1989. 

The Panthers started the day by winning the first two matches in doubles to claim the doubles point. The team of Kir Kemp/Linda Hricistova won easily at No. 2 doubles, 8-2, over Rebecca Erickson/Kristin Nimitz. The point was won after the No. 1 doubles team of Katerina Gresova/Tereza Lerova defeated Kinsey Pate/Katerine Bulling, 8-3. The Panthers were also winning, 7-4, in the No. 3 doubles match but the match went unfinished.

Georgia State began singles play with a 1-0 lead in the match and quickly earned a second point after Nakic won her match to make the score 2-0 Panthers. Junior Katerina Gresova played strong at No. 3 singles winning, 6-3, 6-0, over Rebecca Erickson to earn the third point for Georgia State.

James Madison won its first point of the match after winning at No. 6 singles, when Kristin Nimitz defeated Lindsay Hearn, 6-0, 6-1.

The Panthers needed just one more point to win the match and sophomore Linda Hricistova clinched the victory with a straight sets win at No. 5 singles, 6-2, 6-1, over Michelle Nguyen.  

"It was a good start to the tournament for us. JMU put up a fight and they are definitely improving year in and year out. Our major focus now becomes tomorrow's semifinals. We've come a long way since the beginning of the season and tomorrow will be no different than facing top teams on our schedule during the season. It will take a team effort and all six players stepping up from the start of the match. I believe we will have a shot of taking another step if we approach the match with belief and intensity as a team," said head coach Miha Lisac.

Georgia State plays the winner of #2 seed William & Mary vs. #7 seed Delaware tomorrow at 1 p.m. in the semifinals of the CAA championship.

#3 Georgia State defeats #6 James Madison, 4-1

Doubles

No. 1 Katerina Gresova/Tereza Lerova (GSU) defeated Kinsey Pate/Katerine Bulling (JMU), 8-3

No. 2 Kir Kemp/Linda Hricistova (GSU) defeated Rebecca Erickson/Kristin Nimitz (JMU), 8-2

No. 3 Diana Nakic/Lindsay Hearn (GSU) vs. Megan Douglas/Michelle Nguyen (JMU), 7-4, unfinished

Singles

No. 1 #25 Diana Nakic (GSU) defeated Katerine Bulling (JMU), 6-2, 6-0

No. 2 Kir Kemp (GSU) vs. Kinsey Pate (JMU), 1-5, 5-2, unfinished

No. 3 Katerina Gresova (GSU) defeated Rebecca Erickson (JMU),6-3, 6-0

No. 4 Tereza Lerova (GSU) vs. Megan Douglas (JMU), 1-6, 5-3, unfinished

No. 5 Linda Hricistova (GSU) defeated Michelle Nguyen (JMU), 6-2, 6-1

No. 6 Kristin Nimitz (JMU) defeated Lindsay Hearn (GSU), 6-0, 6-1