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2003-04 Laker Season

Clayton State’s Nieto & Collantes named
NCAA Division II All-Americas by ITA 

Morrow, GA --- June 1, 2004 --- The Clayton College & State University women’s tennis duo of Jackeline Nieto and Nathalia Collantes have been named NCAA Division II All-Americas once again by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. 

Nieto was named an All-America in singles for the third straight time, Clayton State’s first three-time All-America honoree. She received the accolade by being ranked 16th in the nation by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association in 2004. The doubles duo of Collantes and Nieto also received All-America honors for the second straight season after being ranked sixth in the nation. 

“This is a wonderful honor for both Jacky and Nathalia,” said head coach Elizabeth Nieto. “They have been integral in developing our tennis program into a national contender. They along with fellow senior Natalia Koulechova will be difficult to replace.” 

Nieto and Collantes, the No. 1 and No. 2 singles players on Clayton State’s 12th ranked team, were also named to the All-Conference team in singles and doubles for the third straight season in 2004.   

A senior from Caracas, Venezuela, Nieto has played as Clayton State’s top seed all four years, and her 57-42 record at No. 1 ranks eighth all-time on the Laker career singles list. Her top victory this year came against Barry University’s Natasha Loebnitz, defeating the nation’s 11th- ranked player 1-6, 6-4 and 6-1. 

Collantes, the nation’s 30th ranked player and the second-seeded player for Clayton State, finished the 2004 season with a 12-1 record in singles play and compiled a 28-1 mark in dual match play over the last two seasons. A senior from Bucaramanga, Colombia, Collantes finished her career at Clayton State with the all-time best singles record at 75-17. 

 In doubles, Nieto and Collantes finished the season with a 12-2 record and sported a 25-4 mark over the last two seasons. The team’s top victory this season came against Rollins University’s fourth-ranked doubles team in Vanessa Caddick and Tricia Gehret 8-5. Nieto and Collantes have a 77-21 overall record, Clayton State’s all-time best record in doubles play.  

Clayton State finished the 2004 regular season fourth in the Peach Belt Conference and fourth in the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Region. The team lost 5-1 in NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regionals to eighth-ranked GC&SU.  

The season-ending loss closed out the career for the Clayton State trio of Collantes, Nieto and Koulechova (Moscow, Russia), who finished as Clayton State’s second all-time winner in singles with a 77-36 mark.  The trio led the Laker tennis program to top-20 national rankings the last four years and played in three NCAA Tournaments. They also led the program to a Peach Belt Championship and had one runner-up finish in the league. 

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#12 Clayton State women’s tennis season ends at
Mid-Atlantic Regionals with 5-1 loss to #8 GC&SU 

Savannah, GA --- May 7, 2004 --- The Clayton College & State University women’s tennis season came to end Friday, falling 5-1 to Peach Belt Conference foe Georgia College & State University in the 2004 NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional in Savannah, GA. 

The loss ends the 12th-ranked Lakers season with an 11-7 record. Eighth-ranked GC&SU (18-6) took a 2-1 lead by taking two of three doubles matches. GC&SU All-PBC senior Luiza Biktyakova and Chenelle Kruger defeated All-PBC players Jackeline Nieto and Nathalia Collantes, 8-5, at No. 1 doubles.  

Clayton State (11-7), ranked 12th in the nation, took a point at No. 2 doubles as Natalia Koulechova and Daniela Petkova defeated Anna Shchupak and Anna Davidsson, 8-6. GC&SU’s Rachael Porsz and Jessica McKnight defeated Elizabeth Syrova and Michell Zulu, 8-1, at No. 3 doubles.  

In singles play, the Bobcats got a point at No. 6 singles as McKnight defeated Zulu, 6-1, 6-1, then Biktyakova closed out her No. 1 singles match against Nieto by winning seven straight games in a 6-4, 6-0 victory. The match was clinched when Kruger defeated Syrova, 7-5, 6-1, at No. 4 singles. 

            The loss closes out the career for the Clayton State trio of Collantes, Koulechova and Nieto. They have led Laker tennis to top-20 national rankings the last four years and have played in three NCAA Tournaments. They also led the program to a Peach Belt Championship and had one runner-up finish in the league. 

Collantes finished her with a 75-17 record, Clayton State’s all-time best singles mark, while Koulechova finished her career with a 77-36 record all-time, second best in Clayton State history. Nieto, playing at No. 1, is the school’s only two-time All-America. In doubles, Nieto and Collantes combined for the all-time best doubles record at 72-21 and were also named All-Americas. 

GC&SU advances to the region final to face the winner of Friday afternoon's Armstrong Atlantic State/Augusta State matchup. The region championship match will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 8.  

2004 Mid-Atlantic Regional - First Round
GC&SU 5, Clayton State 1

Singles
#1 - Luiza Biktyakova (GC&SU) def. Jackeline Nieto (Clayton) 6-4, 6-0
#2 - Anna Shchupak (GC&SU) and Nathalia Collantes (Clayton) did not finish
#3 - Rachael Porsz (GC&SU) and Natalia Koulechova (Clayton) did not finish
#4 - Chenelle Kruger (GC&SU) def. Elizabeth Syrova (Clayton) 7-5, 6-1
#5 - Anna Davidsson (GC&SU) and Daniela Petkova (Clayton) did not finish
#6 - Jessica McKnight (GC&SU) def. Michell Zulu (Clayton) 6-1, 6-1

Doubles
#1 - Biktyakova/Kruger (GC&SU) def. Collantes/Nieto (Clayton) 8-5
#2 - Koulechova/Petkova (Clayton) def. Shchupak/Davidsson (GC&SU) 8-6
#3 - McKnight/Porsz (GC&SU) def. Syrova/Zulu (Clayton) 8-1
Records: GC&SU (18-6), Clayton (11-7)

Clayton State’s women’s tennis selected to play in NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional May 7-8 

Morrow, GA --- April 30, 2004 --- For the third time in four seasons, the Clayton College & State University women’s tennis team has been selected to compete in the NCAA Division II Women’s Tennis Mid-Atlantic Regional. 

Clayton State, ranked 12th in the nation, will face off against Peach Belt Conference foe and eighth-ranked Georgia College & State University in the opening round of the event on Friday, May 7th at 10 a.m. in Savannah, GA. The Lakers fell 5-4 to GC&SU earlier this year in Peach Belt Conference play. 

The winner of Friday’s match will advance to the Mid-Atlantic Regional final on Saturday, May 8th with Saturday’s winner securing a berth in the NCAA Division II Women's Tennis Championships, May 12-15, in Altamonte Springs, FL. PBC foes Augusta State and second-ranked host Armstrong Atlantic State University will play in the other semifinal match on Friday. 

The Lakers enter the regional, led by a trio of seniors in Nathalia Collantes, Natalia Koulechova and Jackeline Nieto. 

Two-time All-America Nieto will enter the regional with a 10-6 record as Clayton State’s top seed, while Collantes, who holds the Laker all-time best singles record at 75-17, is 16-1 on the season. Koulechova, who holds CCSU’s second best all-time singles mark at 77-36, is 15-2 on the year. 

Daniela Petkova’s 11-5 record this season leads a group of four freshman this season. In addition to Petkova, Kim Lennartsson, Elizabeth Syrova and Michelle Zulu make up the rest of the 2004 squad.  

Clayton State finished the regular season fourth in the Peach Belt Conference and currently has an 11-6 record on the year. The Lakers last played in the NCAA Regional competition in 2002, defeating Lees-McRae College and the University of North Florida to advance to the round of 16 at the NCAA Women’s Tennis Championships.

Clayton State’s Nieto & Collantes named to
2004 Peach Belt All-Conference team 

Morrow, GA --- April 21, 2004 --- For the third straight season, the Clayton College & State University women’s tennis duo of Jackeline Nieto and Nathalia Collantes have been named to the Peach Belt All-Conference team. 

Nieto and Collantes, the No. 1 and No. 2 singles players on Clayton State’s 10th ranked team, both were named to the All-Conference team in singles and also received the honor as a doubles tandem by Peach Belt coaches. 

Collantes, the nation’s 32nd ranked player and the second-seeded player for Clayton State, has a 12-1 record in singles play this season and has compiled a 28-1 mark in dual match play over the last two seasons. Her top win this season came against West Florida’s Sabine Kraweitz, defeating the nation’s 16th-ranked player 6-1 and 6-2.  

A senior from Bucaramanga, Colombia, Collantes is in her fourth season at Clayton State and has a career 75-17 record in singles play, the school’s best all-time singles mark. 

Nieto, a two-time Division II All-America in singles, is currently ranked 24th in the nation and has a 10-6 record as Clayton State’s top-seeded player. Her top victory this year came against Barry University’s Natasha Loebnitz, defeating the nation’s eighth- ranked player 1-6, 6-4 and 6-1. 

A senior from Caracas, Venezuela, Nieto has played as Clayton State’s top seed all four years, and her 57-42 record at No. 1 ranks eighth all-time on the Laker career singles list. 

In doubles, Nieto and Collantes are ranked fourth in the country and sport a 12-1 record and have a combined 25-3 record over the last two seasons. The duo was named one of the five Division II America doubles teams last year. 

The team’s top record this season came against Rollins University’s fifth-ranked team in Vanessa Caddick and Tricia Gehret 8-5. Nieto and Collantes have a 77-20 overall record, Clayton State’s all-time best record in doubles play.  

Clayton State finished the 2004 regular season fourth in the Peach Belt Conference and currently has an 11-6 record on the season. Ranked fourth in the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Region, the Lakers are awaiting word on whether they will be one of the eight teams selected for the NCAA Division II Mid-Atlantic Regionals slated for May 7-8. 

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#10 Clayton State places fifth in Peach Belt
Tournament after 5-3 win over #20 Kennesaw State 

Spartanburg, SC --- April 17, 2004 --- The Clayton College & State University women’s tennis team defeated metro-Atlanta rival Kennesaw State University 5-3 Saturday to place fifth in the Peach Belt Conference Tennis Championships in Spartanburg, S.C. 

The Lakers will now await word on whether they will advance to the NCAA Division II Mid-Atlantic Regionals May 7-8. Eight teams advance to the regionals, and the CCSU team was ranked fourth in the Mid-Atlantic Region entering the Peach Belt tournament.  

Trailing 2-1 after doubles play, Clayton State came back to win four singles matches for the victory, taking fifth place in the tournament. 

In doubles action, the top-seeded Clayton State team of Jackeline Nieto and Nathalia Collantes won 8-0 over Laura Puch and Carolyn Ward, while the second-seeded CCSU team of Kim Lennartsson and Daniela Petkova fell 8-4 to Loraine Rosmuller and Elizabeth Puch. The third-seeded team of Natalia Koulechova and Elizabeth Syrova lost a tight 9-7 decision to Jessica Fischetti and Maria Rubert.  

In singles, top-seeded senior Nieto defeated L. Puch 6-4 and 6-1, while third-seeded senior Koulechova blanked Rubert 6-0 and 6-0. Fourth-seeded freshman Syrova cruised to a 6-0 and 6-1 win over Fischetti, and sixth-seeded freshman Petkova prevailed 6-3 and 6-4 over E. Puch. Fifth-seeded freshman Lennartsson lost 6-3 and 7-5 to Ward, and the second-seeded match between senior Collantes and Rosmuller was not finished after the Lakers secured the win.   

2004 Peach Belt Conference Tournament Championship
Match #23 - Women's Draw
5th/6th Place Match
#4 Clayton State 5 def. #6 Kennesaw State 3
Doubles
#1  Jackeline Nieto/Nathalia Collantes (CCSU) def. Laura Puch/Carolyn Ward (KSU); 8-0
#2  Loraine Rosmuller/Elizabeth Puch (KSU) def. Kim Lennartsson/Daniela Petkova (CCSU); 8-4
#3  Jessica Fischetti/Mari Rubert (KSU) def. Natalie Koulechova/Elizabeth Syrova (CCSU); 9-7 

Singles
#1  Jackeline Nieto (CCSU) def. Laura Puch (KSU); 6-4, 6-1
#2  Nathalie Collantes (CCSU) vs. Loraine Rosmuller (KSU); DNF
#3  Natalia Koulechova (CCSU) def. Mari Rubert (KSU); 6-0, 6-0
#4  Elizabeth Syrova (CCSU) def. Jessica Fischetti (KSU); 6-0, 6-1
#5  Carolyn Ward (KSU) def. Kim Lennartsson (CCSU); 6-3, 7-5
#6  Daniela Petkova (CCSU) def. Elizabeth Puch (KSU); 6-3, 6-4

#10 Clayton State women’s tennis blanks Augusta State 6-0 in consolation round of Peach Belt Tournament 

Spartanburg, SC --- April 16, 2004 --- After falling in the first round on Thursday, the 10th-ranked Clayton College & State University women’s tennis team bounced back on Friday with a 6-0 victory over Augusta State University in the consolation round of the 2004 Peach Belt Conference Tennis Championship in Spartanburg, S.C. 

The fourth-seeded Lakers swept all three doubles matches and won three more in singles before the match was called. Clayton State will return to the court on Saturday, facing Kennesaw State University in a 9 a.m. match for fifth place in the tournament.  

In doubles action, the top-seeded Clayton State team of Jackeline Nieto and Nathalia Collantes won 8-1 over Ana Skafar and Norma Rovira, while the second-seeded CCSU team of Kim Lennartsson and Daniela Petkova won 8-2 over Ashley Abrams and Maria Zevallos. The third-seeded team of Natalia Koulechova and Elizabeth Syrova won 8-1 to Patricia Zurita and Patricia Lozano.  

In singles, second-seeded senior Collantes won 6-3 and 6-4 over Zurita to improve to 28-1 over the last two seasons. Third-seeded senior Koulechova won 6-3 and 6-0 over Rovira, while  fourth-seeded freshman Syrova won 6-1 and 6-0 over Zevallos. Top-seeded senior Nieto, fifth-seeded freshman Lennartsson and sixth-seeded freshman Petkova did not finish their matches since the team victory had been secured.  

2004 Peach Belt Conference Tournament Championship

Match #14 - Women's Draw
#4 Clayton State 6 def.  #8 Augusta State 0
Doubles
#1  Jackeline Nieto/Nathalia Collantes (CCSU) def. Ana Skafar/Norma Rovira (ASU); 8-1
#2  Kim Lennartsson/Daniela Petkova (CCSU) def. Ashley Abrams/Maria Zevallos (ASU); 8-2
#3  Natalie Koulechova/Elizabeth Syrova (CCSU) def. Patricia Zurita/Patricia Lozano (ASU); 8-1
Singles
#1  Jackeline Nieto (CCSU) vs. Ana Skafar (ASU); DNF
#2  Nathalie Collantes (CCSU) def. Patricia Zurita (ASU); 6-3, 6-4
#3  Natalia Koulechova (CCSU) def. Norma Rovira (ASU); 6-3, 6-0
#4  Elizabeth Syrova (CCSU) def. Maria Zevallos (ASU); 6-1, 6-0
#5  Kim Lennartsson (CCSU) vs. Ashley Abrams (ASU); DNF
#6  Daniela Petkova (CCSU) vs. Patricia Lozano (ASU); DNF

#10 Clayton State women’s tennis falls 5-4 to #9 North Florida at Peach Belt Conference tournament Thurs. 

Spartanburg, SC --- April 15, 2004 --- The 10th-ranked Clayton College & State University women’s tennis team dropped a 5-4 decision Thursday, falling to ninth-ranked University of North Florida in the first round of the 2004 Peach Belt Conference Tennis Championship.  

The fourth-seeded Lakers fell to the fifth-seeded Ospreys in the first round of the tournament in Spartanburg, SC, after downing UNF 6-3 during the regular season. Clayton State falls to the consolation bracket of the tournament and will face Augusta State University on Friday at 8 a.m.  

In Thursday’s matches, the Lakers fell behind early, dropping two of the doubles matches, followed by falling in three of the singles matches. The 5-4 loss is fourth time this season the Lakers have fell by a 5-4 decision. CCSU’s record drops to 9-6 on the season.  

In doubles action, the top-seeded Clayton State team of Jackeline Nieto and Nathalia Collantes won 8-5 over Liliana Hung and Julie Stoppelli. The second-seeded CCSU team of Kim Lennartsson and Daniela Petkova fell 8-2 to Camilia Sagae and Melody LeGoff, while the third-seeded team of Natalia Koulechova and Elizabeth Syrova lost 8-6 to Melanie Eng and Yevgeniya Barysheva.  

In singles, top-seeded senior Nieto fell 7-6 and 6-0 to Sagae, while second-seeded senior Collantes won 6-3 and 6-2 over Barysheva. Third-seeded senior Koulechova won 6-4 and 6-0 over Hung and fourth-seeded freshman Syrova lost in three sets to LeGoff 5-7, 6-3 and 6-3. Fourth-seeded freshman Lennartsson also fell in three sets, falling to Stoppelli 3-6, 7-5 and 7-5. Freshman sixth seed Petkova won in three sets 6-4, 3-6 and 6-4.  

PBC Tournament @ Spartanburg, S.C.
#5 North Florida 5, #4 Clayton State 4
Doubles
#1  Jackeline Nieto/Nathalia Collantes (CCSU) def. Liliana Hung/Julie Stoppelli  (UNF); 8-5
#2  Camilia Sagae/Melody Le Goff (UNF) def. Kim Lennartsson/Daniela Petkova (CCSU); 8-2
#3  Melanie Eng/Yevgeniya Barysheva (UNF) def. Natalia Koulechova/Elizabeth Syrova (CCSU); 8-6
Singles
#1  Camilia Sagae (UNF) def. Jackeline Nieto (CCSU); 7-6, 6-0
#2  Nathalie Collantes (CCSU) def. Yevgeniya Barysheva (UNF); 6-3, 6-2
#3  Natalia Koulechova (CCSU) def. Liliana Hung (UNF); 6-4, 6-0
#4  Melody Le Goff (UNF) def. Elizabeth Syrova (CCSU); 5-7, 6-3, 6-3
#5  Julie Stoppelli (UNF) def. Kim Lennartsson (CCSU); 3-6, 7-5, 7-5
#6  Daniela Petkova (CCSU) def. Melanie Eng (UNF); 6-4, 3-6, 6-4

#8 Clayton State women’s tennis team prevails 5-4 over #12 Barry; to host Northwood Sun. 

Savannah, GA --- April 2, 2004 --- The eighth-ranked Clayton College & State University women’s tennis team picked up a big victory Friday by the slimmest of margins, downing 12th-ranked Barry University 5-4 in a match played at Armstrong Atlantic State University.  

Freshman Michell Zulu, playing at No. 6 singles, captured the match-deciding point, winning 7-6 in a three set affair over Barry’s Mary Rosas. Zulu won 6-1 in the first set before falling 6-3 in the second.  

The Lakers were able to pull out the win, despite not having second seed Nathalia Collantes, who is out with an injury, winning four singles matches and one doubles match. The squad will return to the court on Sunday, facing Northwood University in an 8:30 a.m. match at the Clayton State Tennis Complex. The win improves the Lakers to 9-5 on the season.  

In doubles, the second-seeded team of Jackline Nieto and Elizabeth Syrova won 8-5 over Arabella Martin and Carole Steinhauser, while the top-seeded team Kim Lennartsson and Daniela Petkova lost 8-0 to Natascha Loebnitz and Greta Trotman. The third-seeded team of Natalia Koulechova and Michelle Zulu lost 8-5 to Maria Lopez and Rosas.  

In singles, top seed Nieto came back to win 1-6, 6-4 and 6-1 over Loebnitz, while No. 2 seed Syrova won 6-3 and 6-4 over Lopez. Third-seeded Koulechova defeated Trotman 6-0 and 6-2, while fourth seed Petkova lost 6-1 and 6-3 to Martin. Fifth seed Lennartsson fell in straight sets to Steinhauser 6-0 and 6-0.  

Friday, April 2, 2004 --- Morrow, GA
#8 Clayton State 5; #12 Barry 4

Singles
No. 1 – Jackeline Nieto (CCSU) def. Natascha Loebnitz (BU) 1-6, 6-4, 6-1
No. 2 – Elizabeth Syrova (CCSU) def. Maria Lopez (BU) 6-3; 6-4
No. 3 – Natalia Koulechova (CCSU) def. Greta Trotman (BU) 6-0; 6-2
No. 4 – Arabella Martin (BU) def. Daniela Petkova (CCSU) 6-1; 6-3
No. 5 – Carole Steinhauser (BU) def. Kim Lennartsson (CCSU) 6-0, 6-0
No. 6 – Michell Zulu (CCSU) def. Mary Rosas (BU) 6-1, 3-6, 7-6

Doubles
No. 1 – Loebnitz/Trotman (BU) def. Lennartsson/Petkova (CCSU) 8-0
No. 2 – Nieto/Syrova (CCSU) def. Martin/Steinhauser (BU) 8-5
No. 3 – Lopez/Rosas (BU) def. Koulechova/Zulu  (CCSU) 8-5

#8 Clayton State women’s tennis team falls 7-2 to #11 Valdosta State Sat.; to play at Emory Wed.    

Morrow, GA --- March 27, 2004 --- A short-handed, eighth-ranked Clayton College & State University women’s tennis team fell 7-2 to 11th-ranked Valdosta State University at the Clayton State Tennis Complex Saturday.  

Without second-seeded Nathalia Collantes, CCSU’s all-time winningest singles player, the Lakers dropped all three doubles matches and lost four of the six singles matches. Clayton State will return to action on Wednesday, traveling to face Emory University in a 2 p.m. match. The loss drops the Clayton State record to 8-5 on the season.  

In doubles, the top-seeded singles team of Jackeline Nieto and Kim Lennartsson lost 8-1 to Eva Petschnig and Iris Staub, while the second-seeded Laker team Elizabeth Syrova and Natalia Koulechova fell 8-5 to Annika Biro and Marina Galey.  The third-seeded CCSU team of Daniela Petkova and Michelle Zulu fell 8-3 to Natalia Drabova and Claudia Hesse.   

CCSU seniors Nieto and Koulechova won the only two matches of the day for the Lakers at the top two singles seeds. Nieto won at No.  1 in a third set super tiebreaker 10-3 after splitting the first two sets 6-4 and 5-7 to Petschnig. Koulechova won at the second seed 6-2 and 6-3 over Drabova.  

Third-seeded freshman Syrova lost 6-2 and 6-1 to Biro, while fourth-seeded freshman Petkova fell 6-0 and 7-5 to Galey. Fifth-seeded freshman Lennartsson lost 6-0 and 6-0 to Staub and sixth-seeded freshman Zulu fell 6-0 and 6-0 to Hesse. 

Saturday, March 27 --- Morrow, GA
#11 Valdosta State 7; #8 Clayton State 2
Singles
No. 1 – Jackeline Nieto (CCSU) def. Eva Petschnig (VSU) 6-4, 5-7, (10-3)
No. 2 – Natalia Koulechova (CCSU) def. Natalia Drabova (VSU) 6-2; 6-3
No. 3 – Annika Biro (VSU) def. Elizabeth Syrova (CCSU) 6-2; 6-1
No. 4 – Marina Galey (VSU) def. Daniela Petkova (CCSU) 6-0; 7-5
No. 5 – Iris Staub (VSU) def. Kim Lennartsson (CCSU) 6-0, 6-0
No. 6 – Claudia Hesse (VSU) def. Michell Zulu (CCSU) 6-0; 6-0

Doubles
No. 1 – Petschnig/Staub (VSU) def. Nieto/Lennartsson (CCSU) 8-1
No. 2 – Biro/Galey (VSU) def. Syrova/Koulechova  (CCSU) 8-5
No. 3 – Drabova/Hesse (VSU) def. Petkova/Zulu  (CCSU) 8-3

#8 Clayton State women’s tennis slams #20 Kennesaw State 8-1 Wednesday; to host #11 Valdosta State Sat.   

Morrow, GA --- March 24, 2004 --- The eighth-ranked Clayton College & State University women’s tennis team slammed metro-Atlanta rival and Peach Belt Conference foe Kennesaw State University 8-1 Wednesday at the Clayton State Tennis Complex.  

The Lakers won two of the three doubles matches and then went on to sweep all six singles matches en route to the 8-1 victory over the 20th-ranked Owls. Clayton State will return to action on Saturday, hosting non-conference and 11th-ranked Valdosta State University at noon. Clayton State improved to 8-4 on the season and 7-3 in the Peach Belt with the win. 

In doubles matches on Wednesday, the top-seeded singles team of Jackeline Nieto and Nathalia Collantes won 8-4 over KSU’s Laura Puch and Carolyn Ward, while the third-seeded Laker team of Elizabeth Syrova and Natalia Koulechova blanked Mari Rubert and Jessica Fischetti 8-0.  The second-seeded CCSU team of Kim Lennartsson and Daniela Petkova fell 8-0 to Loraine Rosmuller and Kamilla Rodriguez.   

Leading 5-0 at No. 1 singles, CCSU senior Nieto won by default over Puch who had to retire due to an injury. Second-seeded senior Collantes pushed her record to 11-1 on the season and 27-1 over the last two seasons with a 6-4 and 7-5 victory over Rosmuller. Third-seeded senior Koulechova won 6-0 and 6-1 over Rubert.  

Fourth-seeded freshman Syrova won 6-1 and 6-3 over Fischetti, while fifth-seeded freshman Lennartsson won 6-0 and 6-3 over Rodriguez. Sixth-seeded freshman Petkova won 6-1 and 6-1 over Ward.  

Wednesday, March 24 --- Morrow, GA
#8 Clayton State 8; #20 Kennesaw State 1

Singles
No. 1 – Jackeline Nieto (CCSU) def. Laura Puch (KSU) 5-0, retired
No. 2 – Nathalia Collantes (CCSU) def. Loraine Rosmuller (KSU) 6-4; 7-5
No. 3 – Natalia Koulechova (CCSU) def. Mari Rubert (KSU) 6-0; 6-1
No. 4 – Elizabeth Syrova (CCSU) def. Jessica Fischetti (KSU) 6-1; 6-3
No. 5 – Kim Lennartsson (KSU) def. Kamilla Rodriguez (KSU) 6-0, 6-3
No. 6 – Daniela Petkova (CCSU) def. Carolyn Ward (KSU) 6-1; 6-1

Doubles
No. 1 – Nieto/Collantes (CCSU) def. Puch/Ward (KSU) 8-4
No. 2 – Rosmuller/Rodriguez (KSU) def. Lennartsson/Petkova  (CCSU) 8-0
No. 3 – Syrova/Koluechova  (CCSU) def. Rubert/Fischetti (KSU) 8-0

#6 Clayton State bounces back to blast UNC Pembroke 8-1; to host rival Kennesaw State on Wed. 

Morrow, GA --- March 21, 2004 --- After dropping three straight matches to top-10 ranked teams by a 5-4 score, the sixth-ranked Clayton College & State University women’s tennis team bounced back in a big way on Sunday, downing Peach Belt Conference opponent the University of North Carolina Pembroke 8-1 at the Clayton State Tennis Complex.

 The Lakers swept all three doubles matches and five of the six singles matches, dropping only the No. 6 singles by forfeit. Clayton State will face off against another Peach Belt Conference rival on Wednesday, hosting Kennesaw State University in a 2 p.m. match. With the win, the Lakers improve to 7-4 on the season and 6-3 in the Peach Belt. 

Clayton State raced out to a 3-0 lead in doubles with top seed Jackeline Nieto and Elizabeth Syrova winning at No. 1 doubles 8-2 over Stacey Wood and Erin Saltzman. CCSU second seed Natalia Koulechova and Daniela Petkova won 8-1 over Natalie Dies and Abi French, while third seed Nathalia Collantes and Kim Lennartsson won 8-2 over Lauren Losoncy and Shannon Gentry at the third seed.  

In singles, Nieto defeated Wood 6-3 and 6-3 at the top seed, while second-seeded Koulechova blanked Saltzman 6-0 and 6-0. Laker third seed Syrova also won in straight sets 6-0 and 6-0, while fourth seed Lennartsson won 6-1 and 6-2 over French. CCSU’s Petkova won 6-0 and 6-2 at the fifth seed. UNCP’s Losoncy won the sixth seed by default.  

Sunday, March 21 --- Morrow, GA
#6 Clayton State 8, UNC Pembroke 1 
Singles
No. 1 – Jackeline Nieto (CCSU) def. Stacey Wood (UNCP) 6-3; 6-3
No. 2 – Natalia Koulechova (CCSU) def. Erin Saltzman (UNCP) 6-0; 6-0
No. 3 – Elizabeth Syrova (CCSU) def. Natalie Dies (UNCP) 6-0; 6-0
No. 4 – Kim Lennartsson (CCSU) def. Abi French (UNCP) 6-1: 6-2
No. 5 – Daniela Petkova (CCSU) def. Shannon Gentry (UNCP) 6-0; 6-2
No. 6 – Lauren Losoncy (UNCP) won by default 

Doubles
No. 1 – Nieto/Syrova (CCSU) def. Wood/Saltzman (UNCP) 8-2
No. 2 – Koulechova/Petkova (CCSU) def. Dies/French (UNCP) 8-1
No. 3 – Collantes/Lennartsson (CCSU) def. Gentry/Losoncy (UNCP) 8-2

#6 Clayton State falls 5-4 to #10 GC&SU in Peach Belt women’s tennis action; Lakers to host UNCP on Sun. 

Morrow, GA --- March 20, 2004 --- For the second time in as many matches, it came down to the final match of the day for the 6th-ranked Clayton College & State University women’s tennis team, and also for the second time, the Lakers wound up on the short end.  

Clayton State fell 5-4 to Peach Belt Conference rival and 10th-ranked Georgia College & State University on Saturday at the Clayton State Tennis Complex. The loss comes on the heels of another tough loss earlier in the week to eighth-ranked Columbus State University 5-4 on Wednesday. 

GC&SU’s Anna Davidsson captured the match-deciding point for the Bobcats, winning a three-set affair over Kim Lennartsson at No. 5 singles. Davidsson won the first set 6-0, followed by Lennarston battling back to win the second one 7-5, only to have Davidsson prevail 6-3 in the third.  

The Lakers will try to get back on the winning track on Sunday, hosting Peach Belt foe the University of North Carolina Pembroke at 11 a.m. The loss for Clayton State drops its record to 6-4 on the season and 5-3 in the PBC, while GC&SU improves to 9-3 overall and 6-2 in the league. 

The Bobcats jumped out to a 2-1 lead in doubles, winning two of the first three matches. Clayton State’s lone point in doubles came at No. 3, as the team of Elizabeth Syrova and Natalia Koulechova won 8-3 over Rachael Porsz and Jessica McKnight. CCSU’s top-seeded team of Jackeline Nieto and Nathalia Collantes lost 8-1 to Luiza Biktyakova and Chenelle Kruger, while the second-seeded team of Lennartsson and Daniela Petkova lost 8-4 to Anna Shchupak and Davidsson. 

In singles, CCSU’s second-seeded Collantes defeated Shchupak 6-3 and 6-3, while fourth seed Koulechova won 7-5, 4-6 and 6-1 over Kruger. Laker sixth seed Petkova won 7-6 and 6-2 over McKnight. At No. 1 singles, Nieto lost 6-1 and 6-4 to Biktyakova, while third seed Syrova fell 6-1 and 6-4 to Porsz.  

 

Saturday, March 20 --- Morrow, GA
#10 GC&SU 5, #6 Clayton State 4 
Singles
No. 1 – Luiza Biktyakova (GC&SU) def. Jackeline Nieto (CCSU) 6-1; 6-4
No. 2 – Nathalia Collantes (CCSU) def. Anna Shchupak (GC&SU) 6-3; 6-3
No. 3 – Rachael Porsz (GC&SU) def. Elizabeth Syrova (CCSU) 6-1; 6-4
No. 4 – Natalia Koulechova (CCSU) def. Chenelle Kruger (GC&SU) 7-5; 4-6; 6-1
No. 5 – Anna Davidsson (GC&SU) def. Kim Lennartsson (CCSU) 6-0; 5-7; 6-3
No. 6 – Daniela Petkova (CCSU) def. Jessica McKnight (GC&SU) 7-6 (1); 6-2

Doubles
No. 1 – Biktyakova/Kruger (GC&SU) def. Nieto/Collantes (CCSU) 8-1
No. 2 – Shchupak/Davidsson (GC&SU) def. Lennartsson/Petkova (CCSU) 8-4
No. 3 – Syrova/Koulechova (CCSU) def. Porsz/McKnight (GC&SU) 8-3

#8 Columbus State edges #6 Clayton State
5-4 in women’s Peach Belt tennis action 

Morrow, GA --- March 17, 2004 --- In a match-up between the sixth and eighth-ranked teams in the nation and two of the top two teams in Peach Belt Conference women’s tennis, it came down to the final set in the final singles match of the day.  

Columbus State’s Suzanne Visagie defeated Clayton State’s Elizabeth Syrova at No. 3 singles in a three set affair to give the eighth-ranked Cougars a 5-4 victory over the sixth-ranked Lakers. After falling 6-2 in the first set, Syrova battled back to win the second set 6-4 before falling 6-3 in the third. 

Clayton State led 4-1 in the match, winning two of the doubles matches and captured two quick points in singles before Columbus State came storming back to pull off the upset. The loss drops Clayton State to 6-3, while Columbus State improves to 10-2 on the year. The Lakers will play another of the conference’s top teams on Saturday, hosting 10th-ranked Georgia College & State University in a 2 p.m. match. 

In doubles matches on Wednesday, the top-seeded singles team of Jackeline Nieto and Nathalia Collantes won 8-4 over Columbus’ Diana Gherghi and Raluca Moldovan, while the second-seeded Laker team of Kim Lennartsson and Daniela Petkova fell 8-3 to Visagie and Marianne Berry. The third-seeded Clayton State team of Syrova and Natalia Koulechova won 8-2 over Jessica Spencer and Vita Feldmane.  

In singles, second seed Collantes defeated Columbus State’s Moldovan 6-2 and 6-0, while fourth seed Koulechova defeated Feldmane 6-2 and 6-0. Top seed Nieto lost 6-2 and 6-1 to Gherghi, while fifth seed Lennartsson lost 6-2 and 6-2 to Spencer. Clayton State’s sixth-seeded Petkova fell 7-6 and 6-1 to Berry.

 

Wednesday, March 17 --- Morrow, GA
#8 Columbus State 5; #6 Clayton State 4
Singles
No. 1 – Diana Gherghi (CSU) def. Jackeline Nieto (CCSU) 6-2; 6-1
No. 2 – Nathalia Collantes (CCSU) def. Raluca Moldovan (CSU) 6-2; 6-0
No. 3 – Suzanne Visagie (CSU) def Elizabeth Syrova (CCSU) 6-2; 4-6; 6-3
No. 4 – Natalia Koulechova (CCSU) def Vita Feldmane (CSU) 6-2; 6-0
No. 5 – Jessica Spencer (CSU) def. Kim Lennartsson (CCSU) 6-2, 6-2
No. 6 – Marianne Berry (CSU) def. Daniela Petkova (CCSU) 7-6 (2); 6-1

Doubles
No. 1 – Nieto/Collantes (CCSU) def. Gherghi/Moldovan (CSU) 8-4
No. 2 – Visagie/Berry (CSU) def. Lennartsson/Petkova  (CCSU) 8-3
No. 3 – Syrova/Koluechova  (CCSU) def. Spencer/Feldmane (CSU) 8-2 

Clayton State women’s tennis match versus Columbus State postponed today, match moved to Wed. at 2 p.m. 

Morrow, GA – March 16, 2004 – The Clayton College & State University women’s tennis match scheduled for today (Tuesday) against Peach Belt Conference opponent Columbus State University has been postponed. 

 The match has been rescheduled for Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the Clayton State Tennis Complex. The Lakers were scheduled to play non-conference opponent the University of Auburn-Montgomery on Wednesday but that match will now be played at a later date. 

Clayton State has opened its season with a 6-2 record and is ranked sixth in the nation by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, the highest ranking in the history of the program. 

Wednesday’s match against eighth-ranked Columbus State will be an important one, as the Lakers and Cougars each have only one loss in the Peach Belt Conference, both coming at the hands of PBC leader and the nation’s third-ranked team Armstrong Atlantic State University. 

After Wednesday’s match, the Lakers will return to the court on Saturday and Sunday for PBC play. The Lakers will face 10th-ranked Georgia College & State University on Saturday at 2 p.m., followed by the University of North Carolina Pembroke on Sunday at 11 a.m. 

###CCSU###

Clayton State women’s tennis 6th in nation;
to host PBC rival Columbus State on Tuesday  

Morrow, GA – March 10, 2004 – The Clayton College & State University women’s tennis team has opened its season with a 6-2 record, which includes two recent victories over top-10 nationally ranked teams, and the program was rewarded for its fine play with its highest national ranking in school history. 

The Lakers catapulted in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) poll released Wednesday, moving from 17th in the nation to sixth. The sixth place national ranking is the highest the women’s tennis program has been ranked. The Lakers were ranked as high as seventh in the country in the 2001 season and as high as ninth in the 2002.  

Clayton State, ranked second in the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Region behind Armstrong Atlantic State University, will return to action on Tuesday at 2 p.m., hosting Peach Belt Conference rival Columbus State University. The match with Cougars, who are eighth in the country, will begin at 2 p.m. at the Clayton State Tennis Complex. 

Other Peach Belt Conference schools ranked in the Top 20 of the poll are: Armstrong State, second; Columbus State, eighth; the University of North Florida, ninth; Georgia College & State University, 10th; and Kennesaw State University, 19th. 

The Lakers made the meteoric rise in the poll, thanks to two victories over top 10 teams in the last two weeks, defeating West Florida and North Florida, who at the time were ranked sixth and ninth in the country. CCSU also fell by the slimmest of margins to the nation’s fifth-ranked team in Rollins 5-4. 

Clayton State has three seniors on the club in Nathalia Collantes (Burcarmanga, Colombia), Natalia Koulechova (Moscow, Russia) and Jackeline Nieto (Caracas, Venezuela), and all three have been an integral part of the tennis program’s success the last four seasons. The trio was joined this season by four talented freshmen in Kim Lennartsson (Kungsbacka, Sweden), Daniela Petkova (Bourcherville, Quebec), Elizabeth Syrova (Pierrefonds, Quebec) and Michell Zulu (Harare, Zimbabwe). 

In addition to the sixth place ranking being the highest for the women’s tennis program, it also the second highest national ranking in the 14 years of Clayton State Athletics. The Clayton State men’s soccer team was ranked as high as fourth in the nation in 2002, and the men’s golf team finished seventh in the nation in 1999.

#17 Clayton State women’s tennis team
falls to #6 Rollins 5-4 

WINTER PARK, Fla.--- March 2, 2004 – For the third straight season, the Clayton College & State University women’s tennis team fell to Rollins College by the slimmest of margins.  

The #17 Lakers fell 5-4 to the #6 Tars, as Rollins won one doubles match and four of the six singles matches for the victory. With the loss, the Lakers fall to 6-2 on the season and will return to action on Wednesday, March 16th, hosting to Columbus State University in a 2 p.m. match.  

In singles matches, second-seeded CCSU senior Nathlia Collantes defeated Lindsey Soffes 6-3 and 6-2, while sixth-seeded Laker freshman Daniela Petkova won 6-1 and 6-3 over Suzie Aurelio. 

Top-seeded senior singles player Jackeline Nieto lost 7-5 and 6-0 to Vanessa Caddick, and third seeded freshman Elizabeth Syrova fell 6-2 and 6-3 to Tasi Purcell. Fourth-seeded senior Natalia Koulechova lost 6-3 and 6-4 to Tricia Gehret, while fifth-seeded freshman Kim Lennartsson lost 1-6, 6-2 and 7-6 (4) to Jill Oppenheim.   

In doubles, CCSU’s Nieto and Collantes prevailed 9-8 over Caddick and Gehret, while the No. 3 doubles team of Syrova and Koulechova won 8-0 over Oppenheim and Aurelia. The second-seeded team of Lennartsson and Petkova lost 8-2 to Soffes and Purcell. 

Rollins (7-1) vs. Clayton State (6-2)
Doubles:
1.      Nieto/Collantes (CCSU) def. Caddick/Gehret (RC)  9-8 (3)
2.      Soffes/Purcell (RC) def. Petkova/Lennartsson (CCSU)  8-2
3.      Syrova/Koulechova (CCSU) def. Oppenheim/Aurelio  (RC) 8-0 
Singles:
1.      Vanessa Caddick (RC) def. Jackeline Nieto (CCSU)  7-5, 6-0
2.      Nathalia Collantes (CCSU) def. Lindsey Soffes (RC) 6-3, 6-2
3.      Tasi Purcell (RC)  def. Elizabeth Syrova (CCSU) 6-2, 6-3
4.      Tricia Gehret (RC) def. Natalia Koulechova (CCSU) 6-3, 6-4
5.      Jill Oppenheim (RC)  def. Kim Lennartsson (CCSU) 1-6, 6-2, 7-6 (4)
6.      Danelia Petkova (CCSU) def. Suzie Aurelio (RC)   6-1, 6-3 
Final Score: Rollins 5, Clayton Sate 4

#17 Clayton State topples another top-10 team in women’s tennis, downing #9 North Florida 6-3 Mon.   

Jacksonville, FL --- March 1, 2004 --- The Clayton College & State University women’s tennis team toppled another top-10 nationally-ranked tennis from Florida on Monday, downing Peach Belt Conference rival the University of North Florida 6-3 in Jacksonville, FL.  

The 17th-ranked Lakers won two of the three doubles matches and four of the six singles, en route to the 6-3 victory over the Ospreys. The Lakers upset the sixth-ranked team in the country on Saturday in the University of West Florida.  

Clayton State will try for its third straight win over a top-10 ranked team from the sunshine state on Tuesday, as the Lakers travel to face seventh-ranked Rollins College in a 2:30 p.m. match. The win on Monday improved the Lakers to 6-1 overall and 5-1 in the PBC.  

In Monday’s singles matches, second-seeded CCSU senior Nathlia Collantes defeated Yevgeniya Barysheva 6-2 and 6-0, while third-seeded Laker freshman Elizabeth Syrova won 7-6 and 6-3 over Liliana Hung. Fourth-seeded senior Natalia Koulechova defeated Julie Stopelli 6-1 and 6-2, while sixth-seeded Clayton State freshman Daniela Petkova won 6-2 and 6-2 over Melanie Eng.   

Top-seeded senior singles player Jackeline Nieto lost a three set affair to Camilia Sagae, and fifth-seeded freshman Kim Lennartsson lost 6-3 and 6-3 to Melody LeGoff.   

In doubles, CCSU’s Nieto and Collantes prevailed 9-8 over Hung and Stopelli, while the No. 3 doubles team of Syrova and Koulechova won 8-2 over Barysheva and LeGoff. The second-seeded team of Lennartsson and Petkova lost 8-0 to Sagae and Eng.  

Monday, March 1 --- Jacksonville, FL
#17 Clayton State 6, #9 North Florida 3
Singles
No. 1 – Camilia Sagae (UNF) def. Jackeline Nieto (CCSU) 6-3; 1-6; 6-3
No. 2 – Nathalia Collantes (CCSU) def. Yevgeniya Barysheva (UNF) 6-2; 6-0
No. 3 – Elizabeth Syrova (CCSU) def. Liliana Hung (UNF) 7-6; 6-3
No. 4 – Natalia Koulechova (CCSU) def. Julie Stopelli (UNF) 6-1; 6-2
No. 5 – Melody LeGoff (UNF) def. Kim Lennartsson (CCSU) 6-3, 6-3
No. 6 – Daniela Petkova (CCSU) def. Melanie Eng (UNF) 6-2; 6-2
Doubles
No. 1 – Nieto/Collantes (CCSU) def. Hung/Stopelli (UNF) 9-8
No. 2 – Sagae/Eng (UNF) def. Lennartsson/Petkova  (CCSU) 8-0
No. 3 – Syrova/Koluechova  (CCSU) def. Barysheva/LeGoff (UNF) 8-2

#17 Clayton State upsets #6 West Florida 5-4 in 
women’s tennis action Saturday  

Morrow, GA --- February 28, 2004 --- After falling to the fifth-ranked team in the nation Friday in Armstrong Atlantic State University, the 17th-ranked Clayton College & State University women’s tennis team bounced back on Saturday to defeat the nation’s sixth-ranked team in the University of West Florida.

 Clayton State won two of the three doubles matches and three singles matches to take the 5-4 victory. The win improves the Lakers to 5-1 on the season, and the squad will return to Peach Belt Conference action on Monday, playing at the University of North Florida.  

In Saturday’s singles matches, top-seeded senior Jackeline Nieto, the nation’s 15th-ranked player, won 6-2 and 6-4 over Nicole Plikat, while second-seeded Nathlia Collantes defeated Sabine Krawietz 6-1 and 6-2. Fourth-seeded senior Natalia Koulechova secured the win for the Lakers winning 7-5 and 6-4 over Pilar Cortez.  

Third-seeded freshman Elizabeth Syrova lost 6-1 and 6-3 to Eva Papastratides, while fifth-seeded freshman Kim Lennartsson lost 1-6, 6-4 and 6-0 to Miranda Dutra. Sixth-seeded freshman Daniela Petkova fell 6-2 and 6-0 to Giulianna Oblitas.   

In doubles, CCSU’s Nieto and Collantes won 8-2 over Plikat and Diane Olave, while the No. 3 doubles team of Syrova and Koulechova prevailed 8-2 over Papastratides and Dutra. The second-seeded team of Lennartsson and Petkova lost 8-1 to Krawietz and Cortez.  

Saturday, Feb. 28 --- Morrow, GA
#17 Clayton State 5, #6 West Florida 4
Singles
No. 1 – Jackeline Nieto (CCSU) def. Nicole Plikat (UWF) 6-2; 6-4
No. 2 – Nathalia Collantes (CCSU) def. Sabine Krawietz (UWF) 6-1; 6-2
No. 3 – Eva Papastratides (UWF) def. Elizabeth Syrova (CCSU) 6-1; 6-3
No. 4 – Natalia Koulechova (CCSU) def. Pilar Cortez (UWF) 7-5; 6-4
No. 5 – Miranda Dutra (UWF) def. Kim Lennartsson (CCSU) 1-6, 6-4, 6-0
No. 6 – Giulianna Oblitas (UWF) def. Daniela Petkova (CCSU) 6-2; 6-0
Doubles
No. 1 – Nieto/Collantes (CCSU) def. Plikat/Diane Olave (UWF) 8-2
No. 2 – Krawietz/Cortez (UWF) def. Lennartsson/Petkova  (CCSU) 8-1
No. 3 – Syrova/Koluechova  (CCSU) def. Papastratides/Dutra (UWF) 8-2

#5 AASU defeats #17 Clayton State 8-1; Lakers
to host  #6 West Florida on Saturday 

Morrow, GA --- February 27, 2004 --- In a match-up of two of the top teams in the Peach Belt Conference and in the nation, the favorite prevailed and in convincing fashion, as fifth-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State University defeated 17th-ranked Clayton College & State University 8-1 Friday at the Clayton State Tennis Complex in Morrow, GA.  

AASU won two of the three doubles matches and swept all six singles matches for the victory. With the loss, the Lakers fall to 4-1 on the season, while the Pirates improve to 7-0 on the year. Clayton State will return to the court on Saturday against another of the nation’s top teams, as sixth-ranked West Florida visits the Laker tennis complex for a 2 p.m. match. 

In Friday’s singles matches, top seed Zsofia Golopencza, the nation’s top-ranked player, won 6-4 and 6-2, over Clayton State senior Jackeline Nieto, the nation’s 15th ranked player. The match of the day came at No. 2 singles, as AASU’s Luisa Cowper prevailed 11-9 in a third set super tiebreaker to defeat CCSU’s Nathlia Collantes, her first loss in a dual match in over a year, as she entered the match with a 20-match winning streak. Collantes won the first set 6-4 before falling in the second set 6-4. 

Third-seeded freshman Elizabeth Syrova lost 6-2 and 7-5 to AASU’s Caroline Grage, while fourth-seeded CCSU senior Natalia Koulechova fell to Dziyana Nazaruk 6-1 and 7-6. Fifth-seeded CCSU freshman Kim Lennartsson lost by default to Manuela Emmrich, followed by sixth-seeded freshman Daniela Petkova losing 6-2 and 6-2 to AASU’s Kristen Kelly.   

In doubles, CCSU’s Nieto and Collantes won the only match of the day, defeating Cowper and Nazaruk 8-6. CCSU’s second seed of Lennartsson and Petkova lost 8-1 to Emmrich and Grage, while the third-seeded Laker team of Syrova and Koulechova fell 8-2 to Golopencza and Kelly. 

Friday, Feb. 27 --- Morrow, GA
#5 Armstrong State 8, #17 Clayton State 1

Singles
No. 1 – Zsofia Golopencza (AASU) def. Jackeline Nieto (CCSU) 6-4; 6-2
No. 2 – Luisa Cowper (AASU) def. Nathalia Collantes (CCSU) 6-4; 4-6 (9-11)
No. 3 – Caroline Grage (AASU) def. Elizabeth Syrova (CCSU) 6-2; 7-5
No. 4 – Dziyana Nazaruk (AASU) def. Natalia Koulechova (CCSU) 6-1; 7-6 (3)
No. 5 – Manuela Emmrich (AASU) def. Kim Lennartsson (CCSU) 6-2; (retired)
No. 6 – Kristen Kelly (AASU) def. Daniela Petkova (CCSU) 6-2; 6-2

Doubles
No. 1 – Nieto/Collantes (CCSU) def. Cowper/Nazaruk (AASU) 8-6
No. 2 – Emmrich/Grage (AASU) def. Lennartsson/Petkova  (CCSU) 8-1
No. 3 – Golopencza/Kelly (AASU) def. Syrova/Koluechova  (CCSU) 8-2 

CCSU women’s tennis improves to 4-0 with 8-1
victory over USC Spartanburg on Saturday

 Spartanburg, SC—February 21, 2004 --- The 16th-ranked Clayton College & State University women’s tennis won its fourth straight match to open the season Saturday in convincing fashion, gunning down the University of South Carolina Spartanburg Lady Rifles 8-1 in Peach Belt Conference action.  

The Lakers swept all six singles matches and won two of the three doubles matches. The team’s only loss came at No. 2 doubles in close 8-6 affair. The squad has won 34 of the 36 singles and doubles matches played through the first four team matches of the season.  

Top-seeded senior singles player and 15th ranked Jackeline Nieto won 7-5 and 6-2 over Dasha Segenchuk, followed by second-seeded and 32nd ranked Nathalia Collantes winning 6-3 and 6-2 over Mariana Melo. Collantes has won 20 straight singles matches in team competition, dating back to last season. 

Third-seeded freshman Elizabeth Syrova won 6-1 and 6-2 over Zarah DeSilva, while fourth-seeded senior Natalia Koulechova defeated Paloma Castillo 6-1 and 6-1. Fifth-seeded Kim Lennartsson won 7-6 (6-2) and 6-1 over Nina Lesnanska, followed by sixth-seeded Daniela Petkova coming back to win 6-7 (7-3), 6-3 and 10-6 over Mary-Kathryn Powell. 

In doubles, the All-America duo Nieto and Collantes defeated Segenchuk and Melo 8-2, while the third-seeded Laker team of Koulechova and Petkova won 8-1 over DeSilva and Powell. CCSU’s No. 2 seed of Syrova and Lennartsson lost the only match of the day, falling 9-7 to Castillo and Lesnanska. 

The Lakers will return to the court on Wednesday, February 25 for their home opener against Columbus State University. Matches will begin at 2 p.m. at the Clayton State Tennis Complex.   

RESULTS

Clayton State 8, USCS 1
Singles
#1  Jackeline Nieto (CCSU) def. Dasha Segenchuk; 7-5, 6-2
#2  Nathalia Collantes (CCSU) def. Mariana Melo; 6-3, 6-2
#3  Elizabeth Syrova (CCSU) def. Zarah DeSilva; 6-1, 6-2
#4  Natalia Koulechova (CCSU) def. Paloma Castillo; 6-1, 6-1
#5  Kim Lennartsson (CCSU) def. Nina Lesnanska; 7-6 (7-2), 6-1
#6  Daniela Petkova (CCSU) def. Mary-Kathryn Powell; 6-7 (7-3), 6-3, 10-6
Doubles
#1  Nieto/Collantes (CCSU) def. Segenchuk/Melo; 8-2
#2  Castillo/Lesnanska (USCS) def. Syrova/Lennartsson; 9-7
#3  Koulechova/Petkova (CCSU) def. DeSilva/Powell; 8-1

Laker women’s tennis blanks Francis Marion 9-0 

Florence, SC --- February 20, 2004 ---The 16th-ranked Clayton College & State University women’s tennis team improved to 3-0 on the season Friday, blanking Peach Belt Conference opponent Francis Marion 9-0 in Florence, S.C. 

The Lakers cruised to the win without dropping a set in singles and winning handily in two of the three doubles matches. The only close call came at No. 3 doubles where the squad prevailed 9-8. Clayton State will return to Peach Belt Conference action on Saturday, traveling to face the University of South Carolina Spartanburg.  

Top-seeded senior singles player and 15th ranked Jackeline Nieto won 6-3 and 6-3 over Kamini Murugaboopathy, followed by second-seeded and 32nd ranked Nathalia Collantes winning 6-1 and 6-0 over Lillian Jamieson.  

Third-seeded freshman Elizabeth Syrova won 6-3 and 6-3 over Stephanie Bush, while fourth-seeded senior Natalia Koulechova defeated Maria Covell 6-0 and 6-0. Fifth-seeded Kim Lennartsson won 6-2 and 6-4 over Maria Cordrey, followed by sixth-seeded Daniela Petkova winning 6-2 and 6-3 over Amy Verburg. 

In doubles, CCSU’s Nieto and Collantes defeated Murugaboopathy and Bush 8-2, while Syrova and Lennartsson won 8-0 over Jamieson and Verburg. The third-seeded Laker team of Koulechova and Petkova edged Covell and Cordrey 9-8.

 

#16 Clayton State 9, Francis Marion 0
Singles
No. 1 – Jackeline Nieto (CCSU) def. Kamini Murugaboopathy (FMU) 6-0; 6-3
No. 2 – Nathalia Collantes (CCSU) def. Lillian Jamieson (FMU) 6-1; 6-0
No. 3 – Elizabeth Syrova (CCSU) def. Stephanie Bush (FMU) 6-3; 6-3
No. 4 – Natalia Koulechova (CCSU) def. Maria Covell (FMU) 6-0; 6-0
No. 5 – Kim Lennartsson (CCSU) def. Maria Cordrey (FMU) 6-2; 6-4
No. 6 – Daniela Petkova (CCSU) def. Amy Verburg (FMU) 6-2; 6-3

Doubles
No. 1 – Nieto/Collantes (CCSU) def. Murugaboopathy / Bush (FMU) 8-2
No. 2 –Syrova/Lennartsson  (CCSU) def. Jamieson / Verburg (FMU) 8-0
No. 3 – Koulechova/Petkova (CCSU) def. Covell / Cordrey (FMU) 9-8

Clayton State’s Nieto named PBC Player of the Week; Laker home opener postponed due to the weather 

Laker home opener Saturday against Valdosta State postponed 

Morrow, GA --- February 13, 2004 --- Clayton College & State University’s Jackeline Nieto, a two-time All-America, was named the Peach Belt Conference Tennis Player of the Week after opening the season with two wins last weekend. 

Nieto received the honor earlier this week after leading the 16th-ranked Lakers to season-opening PBC victories at Augusta State University and at 39th-ranked University of South Carolina Aiken. She cruised to wins over top seeded singles opponents, dropping only seven games in two matches. She also helped lead the squad to a couple of wins at No. 1 doubles. 

Clayton State was scheduled to have opened its home season on Saturday, February 14th, but the match has been postponed due to the threat of inclement weather. The match against non-conference and 10th-ranked Valdosta State University will be rescheduled for a later date. The Lakers will return to action on Friday, February 20th, traveling to face PBC opponent Francis Marion. 

With a trio of four-year letterwinners returning, two of who are All-Americas and all three who have been Peach Belt All Conference performers, expectations for the Clayton State team are high. 

Nieto leads a talented trio of seniors that also include Nathalia Collantes (Burcarmanga, Colombia) and Natalia Koulechova (Moscow, Russia). The program also has a talented crew of newcomers, as four incoming freshman will join the squad this spring. 

The senior trio has led the Lakers to national prominence in the last three years, as Clayton State has been ranked among the top 20 teams in the country for three consecutive years. They have led the team to a Peach Belt Conference Championship in 2001 with a 17-3 record, followed by a 10th place national ranking and their first-ever berth in the Division II NCAA Championships in 2002. 

Nieto, the nation’s 15th ranked singles player, has an opportunity to become a three-time All-America this season, while Collantes received the honor for the first time last year, as she and Nieto finished the season ranked fifth in the nation in doubles. Nieto and Collantes, the No. 1 and No. 2 singles players on Clayton State’s team the last two years, were also named to the Peach Belt All-Conference team in singles and as a doubles tandem.  

Nieto’s top victories last season came against GC&SU’s Luiza Biktyakova, defeating the nation's 15th-ranked player twice. She beat her 4-6; 6-3; 6-2 during the regular season and then 6-4 and 6-2 in the PBC Tournament.  

In doubles, Nieto and Collantes sported a 16-2 overall record and won 13 straight matches to close the season. The duo’s top victories came against GC&SU's Luiza Biktyakova and Paavilainen, who were once ranked second in the country in doubles. The Clayton State duo defeated the highly touted GC&SU duo 8-5 during the regular season and 9-7 in the PBC Tournament.  

They also had victories over Valdosta State's Eva Petschnig and Annika Biro, the 11th-ranked team, 8-2; and Rollins College’s Vanessa Caddick and Prieto, the eighth-ranked team, 8-4. Nieto and Collantes have a 56-17 overall record, Clayton State’s all-time best in doubles play.  

Collantes has a career 58-14 record in singles play, the school’s best all-time singles mark. She finished the regular season with a perfect 16-0 record in singles play, knocking off several of the country’s top-ranked players. 

Ranked 32nd in singles this year, she had victories over Georgia College & State University’s Mia Paavilainen 7-5; 7-6; Division II’s 29th-ranked player; and Rollins’ Carla Prieto, the 42nd-ranked player, 4-6; 6-3; 10-8. She also defeated Emory University's Margaret Moscarto, Division III's 34th-ranked player and a member of Emory’s 2003 National Championship team; 7-5 and 6-2. 

Koulechova, from Moscow, Russia, returns for her senior season after compiling a 56-32 record in singles play, ranking as the third best singles record in Clayton State history. She became Clayton State’s first All-Peach Belt performer in 2001 with a school record 23 wins.   

Her top wins last year in singles came against Rollins’ Lindsey Soffes, a member of RC's top-10 nationally-ranked team, winning 6-3 and 6-2; and against Emory University’s Jamie Chan, a member of EU's Div. III national championship team, 6-3 and 6-0.  

The Lakers have four newcomers this spring in freshman Kim Lennartsson, from Kunsbacka, Sweden; Daniela Petkova, from Boucherville, Quebec; Elizabeth Syrova, from Pierrefonds, Quebec; and Michell Zulu, from Harare, Zimbabwe. 

Lennartsson, Petkova and Syrova all won their singles matches against Augusta State and USC Aiken in their first collegiate matches.

Laker women’s tennis opens season with Peach Belt Conference wins at Augusta State and USC Aiken 

Augusta, GA & Aiken, SC --- February 7-8, 2004 ---The 16th-ranked Clayton College & State University women’s tennis team opened its 2004 season with two convincing victories Saturday and Sunday, blanking Augusta State University 9-0 on Saturday in Augusta, GA, followed by downing 39th ranked University of South Carolina Aiken 8-1 on Sunday in nearby Aiken, S.C. 

On Saturday, top-seeded senior singles player and 15th ranked Jackeline Nieto won 6-0 and 6-3 over Patricia Zurita, followed by second-seeded and 32nd ranked Nathalia Collantes winning 6-0 and 6-3 over Norma Rouira.  

Third-seeded freshman Elizabeth Syrova won 6-1 and 6-0 over Ashley Abrams, while fourth-seeded senior Natalia Koulechova defeated Patricia Lozano 6-1 and 6-1. Fifth and sixth seeded freshmen Kim Lennartsson and Daniela Petkova won by default.  

In doubles, CCSU’s Nieto and Lennartsson defeated Zurita and Rouira 8-6, while Collantes and Syrova won 8-1 over Abrams and Lozano. The third-seeded team of Koulechova and Petkova won by default.  

On Sunday, top seed Nieto won 6-1 and 6-3 over USCA’s Dominique Cassetori, followed by Syrova, playing at No. 2 singles, defeating Mayra Kaefer 6-0 and 6-3. Clayton State’s third seed Collantes defeated Nicole Copp 6-1 and 6-1, and fourth seed Koulechova blanked Otavia Bastos 6-0 and 6-0. CCSU’s fifth seed Lennartsson won 6-2 and 6-1 over Elly Toth, and sixth-seeded Petkova defeated Monica Budnichuk 6-0 and 7-6.  

In doubles, the All-America duo Nieto and Collantes won 8-0 over Bastos and Kaefer, while the third-seeded team of Koulechova and Petkova won 8-0 over Heather Thornton and Copp. Syrova and Lennartsson dropped the only match of the day for the Lakers, falling 9-7 to Cassetori and Toth at No. 2 doubles.  

Clayton State improves to 2-0 overall and in the Peach Belt with the two victories. The Lakers will return to action on Saturday, February 14th, for their home opener against non-conference opponent Valdosta State University in a match at noon at the Clayton State Tennis Complex. 

Saturday, Feb. 7 --- Augusta, GA
#16 Clayton State 9,  Augusta State 0

Singles
No. 1 – Jackeline Nieto (CCSU) def. Patricia Zurita (ASU) 6-0; 6-3
No. 2 – Nathalia Collantes (CCSU) def. Norma Rouira (ASU) 6-0; 6-3
No. 3 – Elizabeth Syrova (CCSU) def. Ashley Abrams (ASU) 6-1; 6-0
No. 4 – Natalia Koulechova (CCSU) def. Patricia Lozano (ASU) 6-1; 6-1
No. 5 – Kim Lennartsson (CCSU) won by default
No. 6 – Daniela Petkova (CCSU) won by default

Doubles
No. 1 – Nieto/Lennartsson (CCSU) def. Zurita/Rouira (ASU) 8-6
No. 2 – Collantes/Syrova  (CCSU) def. Abrams/Lozano (ASU) 8-1
No. 3 – Koulechova/Petkova (CCSU) won by default

Sunday, Feb. 8 --- Aiken, SC
#16 Clayton State 8,  #39 USC Aiken 1

Singles
No. 1 – Jackeline Nieto (CCSU) def. Dominique Cassetori (USCA) 6-1; 6-3
No. 2 – Elizabeth Syrova (CCSU) def. Mayra Kaefer (USCA) 6-0; 6-3
No. 3 – Nathalia Collantes (CCSU) def. Nicole Copp (USCA) 6-1; 6-1
No. 4 – Natalia Koulechova (CCSU) def. Otavia Bastos (USCA) 6-0; 6-0
No. 5 – Kim Lennartsson (CCSU) def. Elly Toth (USCA) 6-2; 6-1
No. 6 – Daniela Petkova (CCSU) def. Monica Budnichuk (USCA) 6-0; 7-6 

Doubles
No. 1 – Nieto/Collantes (CCSU) def. Bastos/Kaefer (USCA) 8-0
No. 2 – Cassetori/Toth (USCA) def. Syrova/Lennartsson  (CCSU) 9-7
No. 3 – Koulechova/Petkova (CCSU) def. Thornton/Copp (USCA) 8-0

Nieto/Collantes win Alltel Fall Doubles Championship at GC&SU 

MILLEDGEVILLE, GA ---October 12, 2003 – The Clayton College & State University doubles team of Jackeline Nieto and Nathalia Collantes brought home top honors at the 11th Annual Alltel Fall Championships, which wrapped up Sunday at the Centennial Center Tennis Facility on the campus of Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville, GA.

Nieto and Collantes, both All-Americas in doubles last season, won the “A” Flight championship, defeating GC&SU’s Luiza Biktyakova and Anna Shchupak 8-5 in the semifinals, followed by winning the championship by default Sunday after Brenau University’s Lie Devries and Daniela Cavello conceded the match due to injury.

In the consolation draw, Clayton State’s Collantes defeated GC&SU’s Rachael Porsz 6-4; 6-3 to win the “A” bracket. Collantes fell to the consolation bracket after falling to Devries 6-0 and 6-0 on Saturday. She came back later Saturday to defeat the University of Tampa’s Abby Shelide 6-1 and 6-1.

The Clayton State doubles team of Natalia Koulechova and Elizabeth Syrova fell in the “B” Flight doubles championship Sunday to Brenau’s Eva Demasova and Helen Macchi 8-5. The duo of Koulechova and Syrova opened the tournament with an 8-0 victory over ABAC’s Shermona Culmer and Amanda Cumbess, followed by defeating Otavia Bastos and Dominique of USC Aiken 8-2 in the semifinals.

In other singles action, Nieto advanced to the “A” Flight semifinals, before falling to GC&SU’s Biktyakova 6-1 and 6-3 on Saturday. She won in the quarterfinals in a grueling 6-4, 4-6 and 6-4 match over GC&SU’s Anna Shcupak earlier Saturday. 

Koulechova advanced to the “B” Flight semifinals before falling to Brenau’s Helen Macchi 6-1 and 6-4. She defeated USCA’s Nicole Coope 6-1 and 6-4 in the quarterfinals and UNCP’s Abi French 6-2 and 6-0 in the second round. Syrova also advanced to the “B” Flight semifinals before falling to GC&SU’s Chenelle Kruger 6-2 and 6-3. She won 6-1 and 7-5 in the quarterfinals over Tampa’s Paula Fillion and 6-2 and 6-0 in the second round over USCA’s Bastos.  

The Lakers will return to the court Friday-Sunday, Oct. 17-19, in the East Coast Collegiate in Newport News, VA.   

###CCSU###

Nieto advances to semifinals of 
ITA Mid-Atlantic Championships 

Savannah, GA --- Two-time Clayton College & State University All-America Jackeline Nieto won three matches and advanced to the semifinals of the most competitive tennis tournament of the fall season, the International Tennis Association Mid-Atlantic Championships, held this past weekend in Savannah, GA. 

Nieto, the second-seed in the field of 61 singles players, had the top finish for the Lakers, falling in the semifinals to Columbus State University’s Diana Gherghi 6-2 and 6-3. She defeated Armstrong Atlantic State University’s Dziyana Nazaruk 6-1 and 6-4 in the quarterfinals to finish among the top four players in the prestigious tournament.  

A senior from Caracas, Venezula, Nieto defeated Columbus State’s Lindsay Gross 6-1 and 6-0 in the second round, followed by downing freshman teammate Elizabeth Syrova, of Pierrefonds, Quebec,  6-1 and 6-3 in the third round.  

 CCSU’s Nathalia Collantes, a senior from Bucarmanga, Colombia, also fared well in the event, winning three matches before falling in the quarterfinals to eventual champion Zsofia Golopencza, of Armstrong State, 6-3 and 6-1.  

Nathalia seeded in the top eight in the tournament opened with a 6-3 and 6-4 victory over Georgia College & State University’s Rachael Porsz. She won in the second round 6-1 and 6-2 over Limestone College’s Rachel Aaron and advanced to the quarterfinals with a 6-4, 6-7, 6-2 victory over the University of North Florida’s top seed Camila Sagae.

 Clayton State’s Natalia Koulechova, a senior from Moscow, Russia, won two matches in the tournament, falling in the third round to AASU’s Manuela Emmrich 6-2 and 7-6. Her top win in the tournament came against UNF’s Liliana Hung 7-5 and 6-2. She defeated Lucia Henkle of Mount Olive College in the first round 6-1 and 6-1.

 Syrova opened the tournament with an impressive 0-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory over Armstrong State’s Laura Peaty. She won her second round match 6-2 and 6-1 over the University of South Carolina Aiken’s Otavio Bastos before falling to Nieto in the third round.  

In doubles, Nieto and Collantes, the second-seeded team in the draw, advanced to the quarterfinals in the tournament before falling 9-8 to Columbus’ Gherghi and Suzanne Visage. The Clayton State duo won 8-6 in the second round over Kennesaw State University’s Kamilla Rodriguez and Loraine Rosmuller after receiving a bye in the first round.

 The doubles team of Koulechova and Syrova won 8-3 over Lees-McRae’s Thatianne Moreira and Rhiannon Ruth before falling 8-6 to Yevgeniya Baryseva and Hung of North Florida in the second round.

 The Lakers will return to the court Friday-Sunday, Oct. 10-12, in the GC&SU Championships in Milledgeville, GA.  

###CCSU###