FLORENCE, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken women's tennis team lost a hard-fought match to top-seeded Columbus State in the PBC Quarterfinals Friday afternoon.

The Pacers will now compete in the backdraw, which will begin tomorrow at 9 a.m., against North Georgia.

Top-seeded Marie Habiyaremye and Olivera Veskovac lost to the No. 5 ranked doubles team in Division II by an 8-2 score.

The tandem of Kayla Calvert and Brigitta Mirak, playing at the No. 2 doubles spot, lost an 8-1 decision. Victoria Giannaccini and Nadine Tusiama fell by an 8-2 count at the No. 3 slot.

In singles action, Mirak lost a 6-0, 6-0 decision at No. 2, falling to the No. 43 player in Division II. Giannaccini fell by a 6-0, 6-0 score at No. 4.

In tournament play, the first team to five points is the victor. However, head coach Steve Dahm's team was tied or ahead in the remaining four matches.

Tusiama, playing the No. 29 player in Division II at the No. 1 spot, led her opponent 6-0, 1-0, before the match was called.

Calvert was tied with the No. 21 player at 4-4 in the first set at the No. 3 slot. As the No. 5 seed, Habiyaremye and her foe were tied at 5-5 in the first set while Alice Neves held a 5-3 lead over her opponent at the No. 6 slot.

The Pacers are now 9-10 overall while the Cougars improve to 20-2.