Macon, Ga. - The Georgia State women's tennis team defeated Mercer, 6-1, in the Panthers' season-opening dual match Thursday afternoon in Macon. Freshman Maryna Kozachenko clinched the match with a straight sets win at No. 4 singles.

"This was a good start to the season," said head coach Miha Lisac. "The team came out with a lot of energy and set the tone early in doubles. We hope this is the start to a successful season."

Georgia State (1-0) began the match by sweeping all three doubles matches from the Bears (0-1), dropping just two games in the process. The team of Tereza Lerova/Kir Kemp won at No. 1 doubles, 8-1. At No. 2 doubles, Katerina Gresova/Maryna Kozachenko won, 8-1, and in the final doubles match, the team of Martina Ondrackova/Othilia Lindqvist cruised, 8-0.

The Panthers added to the lead when freshman Othilia Lindqvist won in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2, at No. 5 singles.

Sophomore Kir Kemp gave Georgia State a 3-0 overall lead, after winning, 6-3, 6-0.

Kozachenko won the clincher to earn her first collegiate win of the season, 6-1, 6-3.

Sophomore Tereza Lerova won in straight sets over Jennifer Lada, 6-2, 6-1, at the No. 1 flight. Lerova played a solid service game throughout the match and frustrated her opponent.

With two matches remaining, the Panthers picked up another point at No. 2 singles when senior Katerina Gresova won in three sets, 2-6, 6-1, 6-0. Gresova dropped the first set, before taking the final two.

In the final match of the day, junior Martina Ondrackova played a tough, three-set match, falling in the super tiebreaker, 4-6, 7-5, 1-0 (11-9). Ondrackova was trailing 8-9 in the super tiebreaker, fought off match point to tie the score at 9-9, and then lost the final two points to fall, 11-9.  

Georgia State returns to action this weekend to participate in the Clemson Winter Invitational on Friday in Clemson, S.C.

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