SAVANNAH, Ga. -- The No. 11-ranked Clayton State women's tennis team overcame a 2-1 deficit in doubles to pick up a 5-2 victory over in the first round of the 2008 NCAA DII Mid-Atlantic Regional, earning the Lakers a berth in the region championship against host Armstrong Atlantic State on Friday.

The Lakers (20-4) won at No. 1 doubles behind Julia Chergova and Anna Redecsi, knocking off Augusta State's Fernanda Chiaparini and Nathalia Rodrigues, 8-4. Augusta State (17-8) came from behind to win the other two doubles matches, picking up an 8- win at No. 3 doubles with Camila Correa and Giovanna Fensterseifer over Allison Evans and Viktoriya Semyrodenko. At No. 2 doubles, Laura Ferreira and Bianca Machado outlasted Selma Hidass and Katie White for the Jaguars, winning 9-8, 8-6 in the tiebreaker.

In singles, Clayton State won the first set in all six singles matches, en route to four singles wins. Redecsi defeated Rodrigues at No. 1 singles, 6-1, 6-3, while Semyrodenko defeated Ferreira at No. 3 singles, 6-0, 6-2, and White defeated Machado at No. 4 singles, 6-2, 6-1. Kristina Jonutyte clinched the match with a 6-1, 6-3 win over Fensterseifer at No. 6 singles.

The Lakers will now meet AASU at 10:00 a.m. on Friday for a berth in the NCAA's Round of 16 in Houston, Texas, on May 14-17.

NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional
May 8, 2008 
at Savannah, Ga. 
(AASU Tennis Complex) 

Singles competition 
1. Anna Redecsi (CLSW) def. Nathalia Rodrigues (ASU) 6-1, 6-3 
2. Julia Chergova (CLSW) vs. Fernanda Chiaparini (ASU) 7-6, unfinished 
3. Viktoriya Semyrodenk (CLSW) def. Laura Ferreira (ASU) 6-0, 6-2 
4. Katie White (CLSW) def. Bianca Machado (ASU) 6-2, 6-1 
5. Veronika Jasenovcova (CLSW) vs. Camila Correa (ASU) 7-6, 1-0, unfinished 
6. Kristina Jonutyte (CLSW) def. Giova Fensterseifer (ASU) 6-1, 6-3 

Doubles competition

1. Julia Chergova/Anna Redecsi (CLSW) def. Fernanda Chiaparini/Nathalia Rodrigues (ASU) 8-4 
2. Laura Ferreira/Bianca Machado (ASU) def. Selma Hidass/Katie White (CLSW) 9-8 (8-6) 
3. Camila Correa/Giova Fensterseifer (ASU) def. Allison Evans/Viktoriya Semyrodenk (CLSW) 8-5 

Match Notes

Augusta State 17-8; National ranking #26; Regional ranking #5
Clayton State 20-4; National ranking #11; Regional ranking #4 
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (3,1,4,6)

2008 Mid-Atlantic Women's Tennis Regional - First Round

T-2:55 A-50