AUGUSTA, Ga. — The No. 9-seeded Lander women's tennis team lost its opening round match at the Peach Belt Conference tournament Friday morning, falling to No. 8 USC Aiken, 5-1. The tournament is being hosted by Augusta State University at the Newman Tennis Center.

USC Aiken improves to 13-9 overall, while Lander slips to 6-13.  The Lady Bearcats will face No. 10 UNC Pembroke at 5 p.m. Saturday.

The Lady Pacers swept the doubles portion of the competition then needed to win only two singles matches to clinch the victory.

In doubles, No. 1 Kaefer/Telford (USCA) def. Vuokko Vahatalo/Anni Pajunen, 8-2; No. 2 Grenet/Toth (USCA) def. Kristinanne Emmanouil/Fernanda Oliveira, 8-4; and No. 3 Blattes/Everhardt (USCA) def. Nicholi Marsh/Ana Luiza Zaia, 9-8.

In singles, Lander's Zaia defeated Brittni Everhardt at the No. 6 position, 6-0, 6-1, but USCA clinched the win when Marianne Blattes def. Emmanouil, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 at No. 4, and Brittany Telford def. Marsh, 7-5, 6-1 at No. 5.