COLUMBUS - The fifth-ranked Columbus State University women's tennis team opened the NCAA Tournament in dominating style sweeping seventh-seeded Emmanuel 4-0 Monday. The opening round match took place at the John W. Walden Tennis Center in Columbus.

Entering the tournament as the Southeast Region's second seed, the Lady Cougars advanced to the regional final to take on either third-seeded Tusculum or sixth-seeded Flagler. The match will take place Tuesday at 1:00 p.m.

"I liked the passion that we played with today," said head coach Evan Isaacs. "We didn't try to change our style of play just because it's tournament time. We stuck with our fundamentals and got the result that we needed. Tomorrow will be a quick turnaround so we have to be ready for a battle."

Doubles action didn't take long as the Lady Cougars raced out to leads in all three matches. Third doubles was the first to wrap up as Beatriz Lopez and Clara Audap swept their opponents 6-0. Finishing just minutes after was first doubles where the 32^nd-ranked pair of Noa Davico and Luise Sachs won their match 6-1. Natalia Kattah Paz and Candice Paya were inching towards a win when play was called. 

It was more of the same for Columbus State (23-4) in singles action. At third singles, 52^nd-ranked Sachs made quick work of her foe taking the match 6-1, 6-2. Paya made the overall score 3-0 in CSU's favor as she dropped just one game at second singles to win 6-1, 6-0.

Audap started a little slow at sixth singles, but found her groove midway through the first set. Racing to get the victory, the freshman claimed the win 6-3, 6-2 to send the Lady Cougars into the second round.

Lopez was just one game shy from taking first singles when play was called. The 35^th-ranked player was up 6-1, 5-3. At fifth singles, Paz was ahead 6-1, 4-2 while Davico battled back to take the first set 7-5 at the fourth spot.