VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Lee University women's tennis team was defeated 4-3 by Valdosta State University Saturday afternoon at the VSU Tennis Courts.

"We came out a little tight in doubles and that's probably the difference today," said Lee head coach Patric Hynes. "Our fight was definitely there. This team keeps on fighting and it's only a matter of time before we break through."

The Lady Blazers (4-6, 3-0 GSC) grabbed a 1-0 lead following the doubles competition. Estee Widdershoven and Eva Rivoal beat Matina Ujdur and Lisa Kirr 6-2. Rachelle Starreveld and Hera Bjork Brynjarsdottir were 6-4 winners against Micaela Belen Maiz and Carley Sickinger. Birte Langenstein and Julia Saving completed the sweep with a 6-3 score against Lauren Trammell and Sierra Donaldson.

Starreveld opened singles competition with a 6-1, 6-2 win over Donaldson at the fourth spot. Maiz cut the deficit in half for Lee (3-5, 1-3 GSC) with a 6-2 and 6-2 defeat of Langenstein at No. 2 singles.
Rivoal pushed the VSU lead to 3-1 following her 6-3, 6-4 win at No. 3 singles against Ujdur.

The final three singles matches required three sets to determine a winner. All three sets between Trammell and Bjork were settled by a 6-2 score with Trammell winning the first and third sets. Widdershoven and Sickinger claimed 6-4 wins in the first two sets before Widdershoven secured the No. 1 singles win and the team victory with a 6-1 third-set tally.

At No. 6 singles, Dana Moreno won the opening set 6-1 against Rachel Chan-Yaneff. Chan -Yaneff forced a third set with a 6-2 margin in the second set. Moreno returned the favor with a 6-2 advantage of her own in the final set.

"Hadley (Trammell) did a great job for us today. She's lost two heartbreakers to the same girl and it takes a lot of toughness to turn that result around. Mica just keeps on getting the job done, she gives us a huge voice on the court and leads by example with her energy. Dana looked strong in the third set today. She is like most of our girls right now, just growing with every match," added Hynes.

The Lady Flames return to action on Monday. Lee is scheduled to face Tarleton State University at 10:30 a.m. EDT in Orlando, Florida.

"We will get down to Orlando and keep fighting with this team. We are playing well, just not quite getting the results we want," concluded Hynes.