DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Valdosta State women's tennis team battled back from an early 2-0 deficit to defeat Embry-Riddle Friday afternoon for the first victory of the season.  Five of the six singles matches went the distance as the Blazers clinched the match at the No. 6 spot. 
 
VSU improved to 1-3 on the year, while ERAU fell to 2-4.  The Eagles won the doubles point with wins at Nos. 2 and 3, but VSU claimed a victory at the top spot as freshman Natalie Kohoutkova and sophomore Rachelle Starreveld won 7-6 (7-2). 
 
Heading to singles play, ERAU increased its lead to 2-0 as Itxaso Blano downed Kohoutkova 6-0, 6-3 at the top spot, but freshman Magda Tuells Bonet dominated the third set over Carla Cabrera del Hi, 6-2, 2-6, 6-1 for a 2-1 deficit.  VSU leveled the match with a win from Anastasiia Vorobiova at No. 3 over Sabrina Ehrenfort, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.  ERAU answered with a victory at No. 4 as Jessica Wira Hadipoe won on a third-set tiebreak to defeat freshman Elisa Beau, 2-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7-4). 
 
Starreveld came through at No. 5 for the Blazers, battling back from a first set loss (6-4) to win 6-2 in the second set and 7-5 in the third for a 3-3 score.  That setup freshman Adriana Barrio's thriller at No. 6 as she lost the first set 6-1, before responding with a 7-6 (7-3) victory in the second set and blanked Julia Mautner in the third, 6-0 for the victory.
 
The Blazers return home to host Keiser University on Feb. 24 at 2 p.m. at the VSU Tennis Courts.