GREENWOOD, S.C. - The fourth-ranked Columbus State University women's tennis team returned to action on Saturday to defeat Peach Belt Conference rival Lander University 7-0 at the Joe Cabri Tennis Center in Greenwood, S.C.

Playing their first match back inside the top five of the ITA DII national rankings, the Lady Cougars (13-4, 4-0 PBC) impressed, collecting their ninth straight victory.

Lander (13-6) made CSU work for the first point of the afternoon as the two sides split the opening two doubles decisions. Neila Trklja and Agostina Bigotti were 6-2 winners for Columbus State at second doubles, but Chiara Gerbino and Roberta Armani downed the CSU pair of Yelena Labat and Luciana Galves 6-2 in the third position to send all eyes to the marquee match.

First doubles lived up to the hype as 17th-ranked Valentina Abrile and Mariana Ramirez edged by Emily Ineson and Mille Elsborg 7-5 to put CSU on top 1-0.

Columbus State powered through singles play, taking five of the six matches in straight-set fashion. Playing at first singles, ninth-ranked Trklja breezed by Gerbino 6-1, 6-2. Mariana Ramirez dropped just two games overall in a 6-0, 6-2 win over Maranda Adiar at second singles, while Abrile recorded a 6-2, 6-4 victory against Elsborg at third singles.

Galves (6-2, 6-2) and Bigotti (6-3, 6-4) took care of fifth and sixth singles, respectively for Columbus State.

The fourth spot had the only drama in singles competition as Labat and Raquel Acco battled into a third set. Labat eventually outlasted her opponent to cap off a 4-6, 6-2, 10-8 come from behind victory. 

UP NEXT
Columbus State is back at home on Wednesday, April 13 against Valdosta State University at the John W. Walden Tennis Center. The match begins at 3 p.m.