FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 4-17-04

PBC Women's Tennis Championship: AASU 5, Columbus State 0

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Armstrong Atlantic State took control early in doubles play and cruised to a 5-0 victory over No. 3 Columbus State in the championship match of the 2004 Peach Belt Conference Women's Tennis Championships Saturday afternoon at the USCS Tennis Complex.

With the win, Armstrong wins its 10th conference tournament title in the 13-year history of the event. The Pirates have won three of the last four tournament championships and 10 of the last 12.

Armstrong took a 3-0 lead after doubles play as Columbus fought hard in the matches. The Pirates won 8-5 in a tough No. 1 doubles match, and Luisa Cowper and Kristen Kelly took an 8-4 win at No. 3 doubles. Manuela Emmrich and Caroline Grage cruised to an 8-3 win at No. 2 doubles.

In the singles portion of the match, Emmrich won in straight sets without losing a game at No. 4 and Laura Peaty claimed a 6-2, 6-1 victory at No. 5 to give Armstrong Atlantic State the match.

Zsofi Golopencza, the four-time Peach Belt Conference Player of the Year, was named the league's tournament Most Valuable Player at singles. Emmrich and Grage were named the doubles tournament MVP.

Match #26 - Women's Draw
Championship Match
#1 Armstrong Atlantic State 5 def. #3 Columbus State 0
Singles
#1 Zsofi Golopencza (AASU) vs. Diana Ghergi (CSU); DNF
#2 Luisa Cowper (AASU) vs. Raluca Moldovan (CSU); DNF
#3 Caroline Crage (AASU) vs. Suzanne Visagie (CSU); DNF
#4 Manuela Emmrich (AASU) vs. Vita Feldmane (CSU); 6-0, 6-0
#5 Laura Peaty (AASU) vs. Marianne Berry (CSU); 6-2, 6-1
#6 Kristen Kelly (AASU) vs. Jessica Spencer (CSU); DNF

Doubles
#1 Zsofi Golopencza/Laura Peaty (AASU) def. Diana Ghergi/Raluca Moldovan (CSU); 8-5
#2 Manuela Emmrich/Caroline Grage (AASU) def. Suzanne Visagie/Marianne Berry (CSU); 8-3
#3 Luisa Cowper/Kristen Kelly (AASU) def. Vita Feldmane/Jessica Spencer (CSU); 8-4
Records: AASU (23-0)