Lady Pirates Complete Suspended Match, Win 5-0 Over California (Pa.)

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. - The Armstrong Atlantic State women's tennis team answered the early wake-up call on Friday morning, closing out a 5-0 victory over California (Pa.) and moving into the NCAA Division II Women's Tennis semifinals at Sanlando Park in Altamonte Springs, Fla.

The No. 3-ranked Lady Pirates (26-1) led, 3-0, after doubles against the Vulcans (22-3) on Thursday afternoon, but lightning and rain forced the postponement of singles play until 8:00 a.m. this morning.

Seventh-ranked Gabriella Kovacs and Sona Novakova gave AASU its first point in doubles yesterday with an 8-1 win over Axelle Fernandez and Nina Kowalski at No. 2 doubles. No. 12-ranked Kathleen Henry and Tina Ronel then picked up an 8-5 win over Anastassiya Sherdeva and Galina Vishnikina at No. 3 doubles, while No. 2-ranked Martina Beckmann and Alida Muller-Wehlau also collected an 8-5 win over Helena Van Eysendeyk and Alina Stanila.

Kovacs led the way in singles this morning as the 19th-ranked singles player in the nation picked up a 6-1, 6-0 win over Kowalski at No. 4 singles. 16th-ranked Muller-Wehlau then clinched the match with a 6-1, 6-2 win over No. 39-ranked Stanila at No. 2 singles.

AASU moves into the semifinals later today, where the Lady Pirates will face No. 4 Valdosta State - 5-2 winners over Hawaii Pacific - at 3:00 p.m. This is the 12th appearance for the defending DII national champions in the semifinals, and the Lady Pirates are chasing their fifth national title. Earlier this season, AASU won a 6-3 matchup with the Lady Blazers on March 8 in Savannah.