VALDOSTA, Ga. – The No. 20 Lady Flames tennis team fell for the first time this season with a 6-1 loss to Valdosta State University Wednesday afternoon at the VSU Tennis Complex. Lee dropped to 4-1 overall and 2-1 in the GSC, while VSU improved to 2-3, 1-0 in the GSC.

The Blazers claimed the doubles point with wins at the second and third positions. Carmelle Vial and Kitti Nemeth beat Nicolette Fuhr and Jasmine Ibegbulam 6-0. Ivana Castillo and Charleigh Fay doubled-up Aliyah Dwyer and Maria Fernanda Duarte 6-3. Rima Yoshida and Andrea Pascual Blanca No. 1 doubles match against VSU's No. 46-ranked team of Lena Beckx and Milica Prokic was left unfinished with them trailing 6-5.

Vial opened the singles competition with a 7-5, 6-0 win over Duarte at No. 5 singles. Vitória Maximiliano was beaten 6-4, 6-2 at the fourth position by Fay. Beckx held off Yoshida 6-3 and 6-4 to clinch the team victory for the home team.

Fuhr was defeated 6-2, 6-0 by Ena Arnautovic at No. 6 singles. Blanca ended VSU's shutout bid with a win at No. 2 singles. The 39^th-ranked Lady Flame was a 6-2, 6-4 winner against Prokic.

The No. 3 singles match needed three sets with two separate tiebreakers to determine a winner. Dwyer, ranked No. 52, was edged 7-5 by Castillo in the first set. Dwyer used a 7-4 tiebreaker to force a third set where Castillo won the superset 12-10 to earn the singles point.

The Lady Flames are scheduled to return to action at 1:30 p.m. on Monday against No. 4 University of North Georgia. The non-conference match is part of the 3^rd Annual Scenic City College Tennis Spring Break Showcase that is being hosted by North Georgia at the Champions Club Tennis Complex at Rivermont Park.