FLORENCE, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken women's tennis team bested North Georgia by a 5-3 count in an elimination match at the Peach Belt Conference Championship.

The Pacers are now 15-8 on the season.

Head coach Steve Dahm's team jumped out to a 2-1 lead after doubles play. The No. 1 tandem of Nadine Tusiama and Olivera Veskovac knocked off their counterparts by an 8-4 score. Second-seeded Sarah Bernos and Marie Habiyaremye also garnered a win, this time by an 8-6 count.

In singles action, USC Aiken jumped out to a 3-1 lead when Tusiama, playing at No. 1, downed her opponent 7-6 (8-6), 6-0.

Kayla Calvert was the next Pacer to finish a match. As the No. 3 seed, Calvert needed extra points in the first set before taking down her opponent 7-6 (7-2), 6-1.

After the Nighthawks won matches at No. 4 and No. 5, Veskovac closed out the win in a three-set thriller at the No. 2 spot. She won the first set 6-3 before falling 6-2. Veskovac bounced back with a 6-1 victory, eliminating UNG from the tournament.

The Pacers return to action tomorrow in the fifth-place match at 9 a.m., against Francis Marion.