SPARTANBURG, S.C.--USC Aiken, ranked 25th in NCAA Division II, fell to Clayton College & State University, 5-1, today in the 2005 Peach Belt Conference Tournament in Spartanburg, S.C., and hosted by USC Upstate. USCA drops to 15-11 while the Lakers improve to 12-8 and advance to the fifth place match against Georgia College & State University.

Clayton State opened by winning two of the three doubles matches. Elena Bondari and Katrin Gutknecht edged Otavia Bastos and Nicole Copp at number three doubles by a score of 9-7. The USC Aiken team of Dominique Cassetori and Elly Toth beat Daniela Petkova and Lila Tzyetanova, 8-1, at number two doubles.

In singles play, the Lakers grabbed three wins to seal the match. Julia Gandia, the number nine ranked player in NCAA Division II, shutout Cassetori in number one singles, 6-0 and 6-0. Julia Chergova, ranked number 44, beat Copp at number two singles, 6-0 and 6-2. In number four singles, Katrin Gutknecht downed freshman Kerry Donovan, 6-4 and 6-2.

The Lady Pacers have to wait and see if they are extended an at-large invitation to the NCAA Tournament. USCA entered the PBC Tournament ranked seventh in the Mid-Atlantic Regional but two losses to Clayton State, ranked eighth in the region, will likely see the Lakers move ahead.
Tennis Match Results
USC Aiken vs Clayton College & State Univ.
Apr 15, 2005 at Spartanburg, S.C.

#28 Clayton College & State Univ. 5, #25 USC Aiken 1
Singles competition:
1. #9 Julia Gandia (CCSU) def. Dominique Cassetori (USCA) 6-0, 6-0
2. #44 Julia Chergova (CCSU) def. Nicole Copp (USCA) 6-0, 6-2
3. Elena Bondari (CCSU) vs. Mayra Kaefer (USCA) unfinished
4. Katrin Gutknecht (CCSU) def. Kerry Donovan (USCA) 6-4, 6-2
5. Daniela Petkova (CCSU) vs. Otavia Bastos (USCA) unfinished
6. Maria del Mar Mancha (CCSU) vs. Elly Toth (USCA) unfinished

Doubles competition:
1. Julia Chergova/Julia Gandia (CCSU) def. Kerry Donovan/Mayra Kaefer (USCA) 8-3
2. Dominique Cassetori/Elly Toth (USCA) def. Daniela Petkova/Lila Tzvetanova (CCSU) 8-1
3. Elena Bondari/Katrin Gutknecht (CCSU) def. Otavia Bastos/Nicole Copp (USCA) 9-7

Match Notes:
USC Aiken 15-11; National ranking #25; Regional ranking #7
Clayton College & State Univ. 12-8; National ranking #28; Regional ranking #8
2005 Peach Belt Conference Tournament - Consolation Bracket
#7 seed USC Aiken vs. #6 seed Clayton College & State University