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SURPRISE, Ariz. – For the first time in program history, the third-ranked Columbus State University women's tennis team will head to the national semifinals after a 5-1 victory over No. 7 Northeastern State on Wednesday evening.
 
Columbus State (25-2) had reached the national quarterfinals on five previous occasions, but will play in its first national semifinal match on Thursday. CSU will take on top-ranked Barry at 4 p.m. with a spot in the national championship on the line.
 
"I'm really proud of this group of ladies," head coach Evan Isaacs said. "They've already accomplished something that no team at CSU has ever done before, but they have larger goals. We want to be the ones holding the trophy at the end of the week."
 
The Lady Cougars set the tone for the night with a dominant doubles showing, taking all three matches.
 
Noa Davico and Beatriz Lopez raced to an 8-3 victory at second doubles, while Marlene Tilgner and Giorgia Vitale won by the same score at three. Candice Paya and Natalia Kattah Pazhad to rally, but fought back for an 8-6 win in a doubles sweep.
 
Tilgner made quick work of her opponent at fifth singles 6-1, 6-0 to bring the Lady Cougars within one point of victory.
 
Northeastern State (20-5) grabbed its lone point of the night with a win over Lopez at first singles. The RiverHawks took the opening set at second and sixth singles as well, however Luise Sachs stormed back to take the second and third sets for a 4-6, 6-3, 6-0 match-clinching victory.
 
Vitale and Paya were each up a set in their respective matches when play was stopped.