ATLANTA, Ga. – Looking for its second consecutive upset, the Eastern Kentucky University women’s tennis team fell just short against No. 58 Georgia State Saturday afternoon, 4-2.

Just one week ago, the Colonels (5-3) stunned Louisville at home by the same count of 4-2.

Sophomore Kristina Labeja (No. 2) and junior Saioa Oscoz (No. 3) gave Eastern an early 2-1 lead thanks to a pair of straight-set wins.

However, Georgia State rallied with wins at No. 4, 5 and 6 singles to hold off the Colonels. Sophomores Melissa Gerritsen (No. 4) and Marcela Jimenez (No. 6) each won the first set of their respective matches, but fell in the next two sets.

“Considering the circumstances – this was our first true day outdoors and playing a long, competitive match against a nationally-ranked team – I can’t say I’m disappointed with the team,” EKU head coach Rob Oertel said.

Eastern Kentucky has another road match this Tuesday, Feb. 26 at Kentucky.

No. 58 Georgia State 4, Eastern Kentucky 2

Singles
1. #28 Abigail Tere-Apisah (GSU) def. Amandine Faouzi (EKU) 6-1, 6-0
2. Kristina Labeja (EKU) def. Masa Grgan (GSU)   6-1, 7-5
3. Saioa Oscoz (EKU) def. Whitney Byrd (GSU)   6-4, 6-2
4. Jocelyn Ffriend (GSU) def. Melissa Gerritsen (EKU)  6-7, 6-3, 6-0
5. Chaimaa Roudami (GSU) def. Milena Poffo (EKU)   6-4, 6-3
6. Maryna Kozachenko (GSU) def. Marcela Jimenez (EKU) 2-6, 7-5, 6-4

Doubles
1. Grgan/Tere-Apisah (GSU) vs. Faouzi/Gerritsen (EKU)  DNP
2. Byrd/Ffriend (GSU) vs. Oscoz/Poffo (EKU)   DNP
3. Chiem/Kozachenko (GSU) vs. Jimenez/Labeja (EKU)   DNP

Match Notes: Eastern Kentucky (5-3); No. 58 Georgia State (4-5)
Order of Finish: Doubles (DNP); Singles (1, 2, 3, 5, 4, 6*)