MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Valdosta State Lady Blazers opened up competition in the Gulf South Conference women's tennis tournament on Saturday with a convincing 5-2 quarterfinal win over West Alabama before a 5-2 loss in the semifinal round to the Shorter Lady Hawks.

Jennifer Rink and Anke Poncelet started the day off right for VSU with an 8-3 win over Stanzi Stuijt and Sandra Florez at the top doubles match, and Joanna Lario and Bea Morales Hernandez cruised past Evelyn Moreno and Madeline Skaras at No. 2 with an 8-3 win.

As they have all year long, the Blazers were forced to forfeit points at both No. 3 doubles and No. 6 singles, but the team overcame the setback thanks to three singles victories by Morales Hernandez, Rink, and Poncelet.

Morales picked up a dominant win over Stuijt at No. 1 singles, while Rink blew by Moreno with a flawless 6-0, 6-0 win at No. 2. Poncelet sealed the match with another perfect 6-0, 6-0 effort over Shannon McEvoy at No. 4.

In the semifinal match against the Lady Hawks, Poncelet continued her strong day with a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Aurore Beltrando at No. 4 singles. However, a loss (6-1, 6-0) for Lario to Samya El Hsissen at No. 3, along with a 6-3, 6-0 defeat for Taylor Vinge at No. 5 capped off the win for Shorter.

The Lady Blazers did pick up another point at No. 2 doubles after Lario on Morales Hernandez defeated Beltrando and El Hsissen 8-4, but Rink and Poncelet fell 8-5 at No. 1 to Ornella Frere and Agnes Brun.

The Lady Blazers will now await the final regional ranks to learn their fate for the remainder of the 2015 season.