No. 3 AASU Captures Southeast Region Final, 5-0 Over Clayton St.

SAVANNAH, Ga. - The No. 3-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State women's tennis squad captured the NCAA Division II Women's Tennis Southeast Region final with a 5-0 victory over No 11-ranked Clayton State on Saturday morning in Savannah.

The Lady Pirates (24-1), the defending DII national champions, will head to the Round of 16 for the 15th consecutive season, the longest active streak among DII schools. Clayton State (11-7), who advanced to the Round of 16 in 2002, fell short in its bid for a second berth.

Doubles play saw the Lady Pirates pick up three wins to take a 3-0 lead heading into singles play. The No. 2-ranked duo of Martina Beckmann and Alida Muller-Wehlau collected an 8-2 win over No. 9-ranked Viktoriya Semyrodenko and Katie White in a matchup of top 10-ranked doubles duos at No. 1 doubles. No. 7-ranked Gabriella Kovacs and Sona Novakova notched an 8-1 win over Evelin Csizi and Veronika Jasenovcova at No. 2 doubles, then No. 12-ranked Kathleen Henry and Tina Ronel completed the doubles sweep with an 8-3 win over Marie Cercelletti and Selma Hidass.

AASU added a quick singles point at No. 1 singles when No. 25-ranked White was forced to retire in the second set against top-ranked Novakova, 6-1, 1-0. Henry then clinched the match with a 6-1, 6-2 win over Jasenovcova at No. 6 singles, sending the Lady Pirates to the Round of 16.

The NCAA Division II Women's Tennis Championships begin on Wednedsay, May 13, at the Sanlando Park in Altamonte Springs, Fla. The Lady Pirates' first-round opponent will be the second seed from the South Central region, St. Edward's (Texas), who advanced with a 5-1 win over Northeastern State.

Clayton State vs Armstrong Atlantic (May 09, 2009)
#3 Armstrong Atlantic 5, #11 Clayton State 0
May 09, 2009 at Savannah, Ga. (AASU Tennis Complex)
Singles competition
1. #1 Sona Novakova (AASU) def. #25 Katie White (CLSW) 6-1, 1-0, retired
2. #16 Alida Muller-Wehlau (AASU) vs. Viktorya Semyrodenko (CLSW) 6-1, 2-3, unfinished
3. #30 Martina Beckmann (AASU) vs. Marie Cercelletti (CLSW) 6-3, 5-2, unfinished
4. #49 Tina Ronel (AASU) vs. Selma Hidass (CLSW) 6-1, 2-1, unfinished
5. Alisa Kagukina (AASU) vs. Evelin Csizi (CLSW) 6-1, 4-3, unfinished
6. Kathleen Henry (AASU) def. Veronika Jasenovcova (CLSW) 6-1, 6-2

Doubles competition
1. #2 Martina Beckmann/Alida Muller-Wehlau (AASU) def. #9 Viktorya Semyrodenko/Katie White (CLSW) 8-2
2. #7 Gabriella Kovacs/Sona Novakova (AASU) def. Evelin Csizi/Veronika Jasenovcova (CLSW) 8-1
3. #12 Kathleen Henry/Tina Ronel (AASU) def. Marie Cercelletti/Selma Hidass (CLSW) 8-3

Match Notes
Clayton State 11-7; National ranking #11
Armstrong Atlantic 24-1; National ranking #3
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3,1); Singles (1,6)
2009 NCAA Division II Women's Tennis Southeast Region Final
AASU advances to the Round of 16 in Altamonte Springs, Fla.
Will face St. Edward's on Wednesday, May 16
T-2:44 A-75