MORROW, Ga. – Taking on a perennial national powerhouse Clayton State (2-6, 0-4 PBC) could not overcome No. 8 Columbus State (9-1, 6-0 PBC) in a 9-0 defeat on Saturday, March 18 in an NCAA Division II women's tennis match on Saturday, March 18.
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Despite not picking up a match victory against the Cougars, the Lakers notched a number of solid outings against one of the top teams in the country. In doubles action, senior
Kristiin Mets (Kuressaare, Estonia) and freshman
Laura Shkembi (Oostende, Belgium) were impressive in their first ever pairing.
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Playing at the No. 1 spot, they pushed Beatriz Lopez and Beatriz Leon, both of whom are ranked individually, as far as they could before falling just 8-6. In singles, Mets and Shkembi would produce the top performances from Clayton State.
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Mets, playing at her familiar first position, challenged Giorgia Vitale to the tune of 6-4, 6-1 while Shkembi dropped a 6-0, 6-3 at No. 2 to Kirsa Utech.
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The Lakers return to action with the first of three consecutive league matches, two against nationally ranked foes, all at home. They will begin that stretch against No. 18 Francis Marion on Friday, March 24 before hosting No. 30 USC Aiken the following day. That gauntlet will conclude with Augusta, which had been ranked No. 47 earlier in the year, on Sunday, March 26. All three matches are set for first serve at 2 p.m.
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No. 8 Columbus State 9, Clayton State 0
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