SURPRISE, Ariz. - The 10th-ranked Columbus State University women's tennis team came up just short of reaching the program's first NCAA DII national championship match as the Lady Cougars fell 4-1 to top-ranked University of Indianapolis in the NCAA Championship semifinals on Thursday.

The fourth-seeded Lady Cougars end their season in the national semifinal round for the third consecutive season and with an 18-6 record. The top-seeded Greyhounds (23-0) will play for their first-ever national championship against second-seeded and ranked Barry University on Friday. 

"I would like to congratulate these young ladies on a fine season," commented head coach Evan Isaacs. "The road wasn't easy to get here, and they fought for everything they accomplished. I'm super proud and couldn't be more pleased how they represented Columbus State University and the Lady Cougar tennis program."

Indy used its strong doubles tandems to secure the first point of the afternoon. The top-ranked team of Nikol Alekeeva and Anna Novikova overpowered Beatriz Lopez and Luise Sachs 6-1 at first doubles to record the first decision in the match. At second doubles, Valentina Abrile and Sara Ramirez Concalves battled third-ranked Alina Kislitskaya and Kristina Lagoda before succumbing 6-4. Third doubles went unfinished with Agostina Bigotti and Yelena Labat trailing Sofia Sharonova and Mariia Solnyshkina 5-4. 

Columbus State did pull even with Indianapolis early in singles play after Abrile took fourth singles in a dominant 6-1, 6-1 win over 46th-ranked Lagoda. However, that would be the only point of the afternoon for CSU as the Greyhounds raced their way into the championship. 

Kislitskaya, the 14th-ranked player in the nation, put UIndy back ahead following a 6-1, 6-2 win over Sachs at third singles, while Solnyshkina defeated Bigotti 6-2, 6-2 in the fifth spot that brought the Greyhounds one closer to the finals. 

The clinching match came at first singles in a top-10 showdown where top-ranked Alekseeva topped ninth-ranked Lopez 6-2, 6-2. 

In the unfinished matches, Labat was up a set at sixth singles against Sharonova, while 36th-ranked Paya and eighth-ranked Novikova were battling in a third set.

It was the 24th NCAA postseason appearance for Columbus State, including the 19th straight under Isaacs. CSU has won eight consecutive regional championships and four straight Peach Belt Conference regular-season titles.