VALDOSTA, Ga.- The Palm Beach Atlantic women’s tennis team put a wrap on another solid season on Saturday by losing 5-1 to Shorter (Ga.) University in the NCCAA Regional Tournament. Meeting at a neutral court on the campus of Valdosta State University the two teams battled with the right to move on to the NCCAA National Tournament to be held next month.

The final tally was perhaps only a glimpse into the close nature of the match with postseason play settling a winner before all of singles could be decided.

The matchup of Shorter and Palm Beach Atlantic pitted the No. 22-ranked (ITA) Hawks versus the No. 36-ranked (ITA) Sailfish as both are also members of the NCAA South Region. Shorter competes as a provisional member of the Gulf South Conference.

PBA got off to a solid start in doubles with a tight 9-8 win by Veena Vasquez and Yoanna Peshev at No. 1-doubles but could not muster another victory the rest of the way.

The match proved to be the final action for PBA’s three seniors in Maria Jimenez, Liddy Robinson and Jessica Wharton. PBA finishes with a 14-9 overall record.

#22 Shorter University 5, #36 Palm Beach Atlantic University 1
04/19/14 at Valdosta, Ga. (Blazer Tennis Courts)

Singles competition
1. #49 Veena Vasquez (PBAW) vs. Laurent (SHOWT) 3-6, 6-1, unfinished
2. Yoanna Peshev (PBAW) vs. Gaborit (SHOWT) 4-6, unfinished
3. El Hsissen (SHOWT) def. Jessica Wharton (PBAW) 6-4, 6-4
4. Frere (SHOWT) def. Vilja Vahatalo (PBAW) 6-2, 6-1
5. Maja Jovic (PBAW) vs. Chipe (SHOWT) 6-3, unfinished
6. Bertando (SHOWT) def. Liddy Robinson (PBAW) 6-0, 6-0

Doubles competition
1. Veena Vasquez/Yoanna Peshev (PBAW) def. Laurent/Gaborit (SHOWT) 9-8
2. El Hsissen/Bertando (SHOWT) def. Jessica Wharton/Maja Jovic (PBAW) 8-4
3. Sinclair/Frere (SHOWT) def. Vilja Vahatalo/Leyla Taracena (PBAW) 8-4