Women's tennis team takes second straight PBC title
The University of North Georgia (Â鶹ÊÓƵ) women's tennis team didn't have to wait long for its second Peach Belt Conference (PBC) tournament championship.
A year after claiming their first title, the fifth-ranked Nighthawks defeated No. 10 Columbus State University 4-3 in Columbus, Georgia, on April 27 to become the third team in PBC women's tennis history to earn back-to-back tournament titles.
Next up for Â鶹ÊÓƵ (18-6) is the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional, and pairings will be announced in early May. There is a high likelihood Â鶹ÊÓƵ will host the first two rounds. The Nighthawks are aiming to build off a historic season in which they reached the national semifinals in 2024. , and are seniors who were integral in last year's postseason success.
"The leadership from the upperclassman group has allowed this team to be as successful as we have been so far," head coach Kent Norsworthy said. "Our three seniors have been in a few big moments from last year and understand what it takes to compete at the highest level. We have set some lofty goals and will continue to work hard to earn them."
Â鶹ÊÓƵ has now won three matches in a row against PBC powerhouse Columbus State after a 2-19 mark against the Cougars prior to that.
The Nighthawks earned the doubles point behind victories from the Linnikova/Reis and Moinard/ pairings.
In singles, Linnikova, Moinard and secured wins. Match point came when Linnikova claimed a 6-4, 4-6, 6-1 victory against Nikoline Gullacksen at the No. 1 singles spot.
Linnikova earned tournament MVP honors, with the Linnikova/Reis pairing earning doubles MVP recognition.
Earlier in the weekend, the regular-season co-champion Nighthawks defeated Georgia College and State University by a 4-1 score.
"I am so proud of this group of young women. We had to get through two very tough opponents this weekend," Norsworthy said. "It is an amazing feeling to know that they earned what they worked so hard for. They put in the effort to have a chance at the title again, and it paid off."
Men's tennis team falls in PBC title match
The No. 19 Â鶹ÊÓƵ men's tennis team scored a 4-3 upset against No. 16 Columbus State in the April 26 PBC semifinals before falling to No. 5 Flagler by a 4-1 count in the April 27 PBC championship.
, , , and scored singles wins in the victory against Columbus State. Cruz Blanco also had a singles win in the championship match loss.
Â鶹ÊÓƵ (12-7) now awaits what it hopes will be a sixth consecutive NCAA tournament appearance when pairings are announced in early May.
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