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By: Josh Fuller

FLORENCE, S.C. – Playing its second match of the day, the eighth-ranked and second-seeded Columbus State University women's tennis team breezed its way into the Peach Belt Conference Tournament championship match with a 5-1 victory over 10th-ranked and third-seeded Flagler Saturday. The tournament is being held at the Dr. Eddie Floyd Florence Tennis Center in Florence, S.C.
 
With the win, the Lady Cougars (19-5) advance to their sixth straight PBC title match. CSU will take on top-seeded and fourth-ranked Armstrong State, who swept Georgia College 5-0 to earn its way into the final.
 
"We really played well today under some unusual circumstances," said head coach Evan Isaacs. "The girls didn't let it bother them and took care of business against a very talented team."
 
CSU got off to a good start in doubles play winning two of the three matches to grab control early. Flagler, however, recorded the first win of the day taking second doubles. Kelly Stewart and Thaisa Pereira swept Beatriz Leon and Giorgia Vitale 8-0. It didn't take long for CSU to grab the lead though. The 10th-ranked pair of Camila Tobar and Kirsa Utech made quick work of Mary Jo Nanti and Kelly Burge 8-4 at the top spot. Third doubles was decided by the same score with Rachael Williams and Olivera Tadijin picking up the win over Lizanne Jinkertz and Laura Kelly.
 
In singles play, 14th-ranked Leon wasted no time in picking up a win at the top spot flying by 49th-ranked Stewart 6-1, 6-1. Utech recorded a straight set victory at fourth singles defeating Pereira 6-4, 6-4. In the clincher, Tadijin knocked off Nanti 7-5, 6-3.
 
When play was suspended, Vitale was in the third set at fifth singles while Williams was up a set at the sixth spot. At second singles, Jinkertz was up a set against 36th-ranked Tobar.
 
Singles
 
1. #14 Beatriz Leon (CSU) def. #49 Kelly Stewart (FLG) 6-1, 6-1
2. #36 Camila Tobar (CSU) vs. Lizanne Jinkertz (FLG) 3-6, 4-3, unfinished
3. Olivera Tadijin (CSU) def. Mary Jo Nanti (FLG) 7-5, 6-3
4. Kirsa Utech (CSU) def. Thaisa Pereira (FLG) 6-4, 6-4
5. Giorgia Vitale (CSU) vs. Kelly Burge (FLG) 3-6, 6-3, unfinished
6. Rachael Williams (CSU) vs. Laura Kelly (FLG) 7-6 (7-5), 2-2, unfinished
 
Doubles
 
1. #10 Tobar/Utech (CSU) def. Nanti/Burge (FLG) 8-4
2. Stewart/Pereira (FLG) def. Leon/Vitale (CSU) 8-0
3. Williams/Tadijin (CSU) def. Jinkertz/Kelly (FLG) 8-4